The KEPI schedule Kenya provides a structured timetable for routine childhood vaccination in Kenya, beginning at birth and continuing through infancy and early childhood. Following the recommended vaccine dates helps protect children against serious vaccine-preventable diseases and provides opportunities for healthcare workers to monitor immunisation progress.

For a new parent, a vaccination card can quickly become filled with unfamiliar abbreviations, dates and vaccine names.

You may see terms such as:

• BCG.
• OPV.
• Pentavalent.
• PCV.
• Rotavirus.
• IPV.
• Measles-rubella.
• Yellow fever in applicable programmes or areas.

Understanding the KEPI schedule Kenya makes it easier to know what each visit is for and why keeping the child’s vaccination record matters.

This guide is intended as a parent-friendly reference. Vaccine recommendations can be updated by Kenya’s Ministry of Health, so parents should always confirm the current schedule with an authorised health facility or healthcare professional.

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What Is the KEPI Schedule Kenya?

The KEPI schedule Kenya is the national framework used to guide routine childhood immunisation in Kenya. It specifies when children should receive recommended vaccines and helps healthcare workers provide protection against important vaccine-preventable diseases.

KEPI stands for Kenya Expanded Programme on Immunization.

The programme supports routine vaccination through health facilities and other immunisation services across the country.

The KEPI schedule Kenya is important because vaccines are not simply given once and forgotten.

Some vaccines require:

• An initial dose.
• Additional doses.
• Booster doses.
• Vaccination at specific childhood stages.

Parents should therefore keep the child’s immunisation card safe and take it to every clinic visit.

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What Vaccines Does a Baby Receive at Birth in Kenya?

At birth, routine childhood immunisation in Kenya includes vaccines such as BCG and the birth dose of oral polio vaccine, according to the national immunisation schedule. These vaccines are designed to provide early protection against tuberculosis and poliovirus.

The birth visit is an important starting point in the KEPI schedule Kenya.

BCG

BCG helps protect children against severe forms of tuberculosis, particularly serious childhood TB.

OPV 0

The birth dose of oral polio vaccine helps provide early protection against poliovirus.

Parents should confirm that the vaccines given have been recorded correctly on the child’s immunisation card.

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What Vaccines Are Given at 6 Weeks?

At around 6 weeks, the KEPI schedule Kenya includes important primary infant vaccines, including pentavalent vaccine, oral polio vaccine, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and rotavirus vaccine. These vaccines begin or continue protection against several serious childhood infections.

The 6-week visit is one of the major milestones in the KEPI schedule Kenya.

Vaccines commonly associated with this visit include:

The exact vaccine products and programme details can change, so parents should confirm the current schedule with their healthcare provider.

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What Vaccines Are Given at 10 Weeks?

At around 10 weeks, children receive the next doses of several vaccines started at 6 weeks, according to the KEPI schedule Kenya. The visit helps build and maintain protection against diseases including polio, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus and infections covered by the pentavalent vaccine.

The 10-week visit commonly continues the infant’s primary series.

Parents may encounter:

• Pentavalent dose 2.
• OPV dose 2.
• PCV dose 2.
• Rotavirus dose 2.

The vaccination card should be updated after the visit.

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What Vaccines Are Given at 14 Weeks?

At around 14 weeks, the KEPI schedule Kenya continues the infant primary vaccination series with additional doses of key vaccines. This visit commonly includes the third doses of pentavalent, OPV and PCV, together with IPV according to the national programme.

The 14-week visit is another important milestone.

Vaccines commonly associated with this visit include:

Parents should not rely solely on memory.

The vaccination card should be the primary record for the child’s immunisation history.

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What Happens at the 6-Month Immunisation Visit?

The 6-month point in the KEPI schedule Kenya may include additional routine childhood immunisation requirements depending on the current national programme and the child’s vaccination history. Parents should use the child’s immunisation card and confirm the required vaccines with the health facility.

Not every immunisation visit looks identical for every child.

A healthcare worker may consider:

• Vaccines already received.
• Missed doses.
• Previous vaccination records.
• Current national recommendations.
• The child’s age.

This is why parents should bring the vaccination card to every appointment.

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What Vaccines Are Given at 9 Months?

The 9-month visit is a major milestone in the KEPI schedule Kenya, with measles-rubella vaccination forming an important part of routine childhood immunisation. Depending on the national programme and location, other vaccines may also be relevant.

Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious complications.

Rubella infection can also be particularly concerning during pregnancy because infection can affect an unborn baby.

Parents should therefore take the 9-month vaccination visit seriously even when the child appears completely healthy.

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What Happens at 18 Months?

The 18-month vaccination visit provides an opportunity for additional routine childhood immunisation according to the national schedule and for healthcare workers to review the child’s vaccination record. Parents should confirm the exact vaccines due at this age with their child’s health facility.

The 18-month visit is an important opportunity to:

• Review previous doses.
• Identify missed vaccines.
• Receive vaccines due at that age.
• Ask questions about future immunisation.
• Update the child’s record.

If your child has missed earlier appointments, do not assume that vaccination is no longer possible.

Ask a healthcare professional for a catch-up plan.

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KEPI Schedule Kenya: Childhood Immunisation Reference Table

The KEPI schedule Kenya is designed around specific childhood ages, with vaccines given at birth and during subsequent infant and early-childhood visits. Because national recommendations can be updated, parents should use this table as a general reference and confirm current requirements with an authorised health facility.

Important: Vaccine schedules can be revised by health authorities. Always confirm the current schedule with the child’s vaccination card and healthcare provider rather than relying on an old internet chart.

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Why Is Following the KEPI Schedule Kenya Important?

Following the KEPI schedule Kenya helps children receive vaccines at the recommended stages rather than unnecessarily delaying protection. Keeping appointments also allows healthcare workers to identify missed doses and advise parents on appropriate catch-up vaccination.

Parents sometimes miss appointments because of:

• Travel.
• Work schedules.
• Illness.
• Forgetting dates.
• Transport difficulties.
• Relocation.
• Misunderstanding the next appointment.

Missing a date does not mean the parent has failed.

The important step is to return to a healthcare facility and ask what should happen next.

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What Should You Do If Your Child Misses a Vaccine Date?

If a child misses a vaccination appointment, parents should contact a healthcare facility as soon as practical rather than restarting the entire vaccination programme themselves. A healthcare professional can review the child’s record and determine which doses are due.

Bring:

• The child’s immunisation card.
• Previous medical records if available.
• Information about vaccines received elsewhere.

Do not guess which vaccine is missing.

Do not give a child an adult vaccine.

Do not buy a vaccine online and attempt to administer it at home.

A healthcare professional should determine the appropriate catch-up schedule.

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Does a Missed Vaccine Mean You Must Start Again?

Usually, a missed vaccination appointment does not automatically mean that a child must restart every vaccine series from the beginning. The appropriate catch-up approach depends on the child’s age, previous doses and current national guidance.

This is one of the most important things for parents to understand.

Suppose a child received earlier doses but missed a scheduled appointment.

The correct response is generally:

Check the record → visit a health facility → identify missed doses → follow the recommended catch-up plan.

Do not simply abandon the vaccination schedule because one appointment was missed.

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Can a Sick Child Receive Vaccines?

Whether a sick child should receive a vaccine depends on the child’s illness and overall condition, so parents should discuss the situation with the healthcare worker at the vaccination visit. Mild illness does not necessarily mean every vaccine must be postponed, but the healthcare professional should make the final assessment.

Tell the healthcare worker if your child has:

• Fever.
• Significant illness.
• A previous vaccine reaction.
• A known allergy.
• Current medication.
• A recent hospital admission.

The healthcare worker can determine whether vaccination should proceed.

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What Are Common Vaccine Side Effects in Babies?

Common vaccine reactions can include temporary pain, redness or swelling at the injection site and mild fever or irritability. Most reactions are short-lived, but parents should seek medical attention if a child develops a severe or concerning reaction.

After vaccination, your baby may:

• Cry more than usual.
• Be sleepy.
• Have mild fever.
• Have tenderness at the injection site.
• Eat slightly less for a short period.

These reactions can be temporary.

Parents should ask the healthcare worker what to expect after each vaccination.

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When Should a Parent Seek Medical Help After Vaccination?

Parents should seek urgent medical attention if a child develops a severe or rapidly worsening reaction after vaccination, particularly difficulty breathing, severe weakness, loss of consciousness or other alarming symptoms. When uncertain, contact a healthcare professional promptly.

Do not rely on an online article to diagnose a serious reaction.

Seek professional assessment if you are worried.

A pharmacist can also help with general medicine questions, but severe symptoms require appropriate medical care.

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How Should Parents Store a Child’s Vaccination Card?

Parents should keep the child’s vaccination card clean, dry and safely accessible because it provides an important record of previous immunisations and future appointments. Take the card to every vaccination visit, clinic appointment and healthcare facility whenever possible.

Consider keeping:

• The original card in a safe place.
• A clear photograph as a backup.
• Relevant hospital discharge records.
• Other important child health documents.

If you lose the card, tell the healthcare facility.

Do not recreate vaccination history from memory when records can be verified.

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Can a Child Receive Vaccines at a Different Health Facility?

A child may receive vaccination services at another appropriate health facility when the family has moved or is travelling, but the healthcare worker should review the child’s existing vaccination record. Parents should carry the immunisation card to help prevent unnecessary duplication or missed doses.

This is particularly useful for families who:

• Move between counties.
• Travel frequently.
• Relocate for work.
• Visit relatives.
• Change healthcare facilities.

The vaccination card makes continuity of care easier.

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KEPI Schedule Kenya for Parents in Nairobi

Parents in Nairobi can follow the KEPI schedule Kenya through appropriate public or private health facilities that provide childhood immunisation services. Families in areas such as Rongai, Karen, Ngong, Lang’ata, Kilimani and Westlands should confirm vaccine availability and clinic schedules before visiting.

Urban families can still miss vaccine appointments.

Common reasons include:

• Busy work schedules.
• Traffic.
• School routines.
• Travel.
• Forgetting appointment dates.

A simple calendar reminder can help.

For parents who also need child healthcare products, Our Mall Pharmacy provides a Mother & Baby category and a Mother & Baby Hub.

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How Can Parents Keep Track of Vaccine Dates?

The easiest way to stay on track with the KEPI schedule Kenya is to record every vaccination date and immediately note the next appointment. Parents can also use phone calendar reminders while keeping the official immunisation card as the primary record.

Try this routine:

On vaccination day

Record:

• Date.
• Vaccines received.
• Next appointment.

Before the next appointment

Set reminders:

• One week before.
• Two days before.
• On the appointment morning.

After each visit

Check that the vaccination card has been updated.

This simple system can reduce missed appointments.

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What Is the Difference Between Vaccination and Immunisation?

Vaccination is the process of receiving a vaccine, while immunisation refers more broadly to the process of becoming protected against a disease, usually through vaccination. Parents may hear both terms used when discussing the KEPI schedule Kenya.

In everyday healthcare conversations, the words are often used interchangeably.

The important thing for parents is understanding:

Vaccines are given to help the child’s immune system develop protection against specific diseases.

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Why Are Multiple Vaccine Doses Needed?

Some vaccines require multiple doses because protection may need to be built and reinforced over time. The KEPI schedule Kenya spaces doses according to the national immunisation programme so that children receive recommended protection at different stages of development.

A parent should not assume:

“My child already received one dose, so another is unnecessary.”

If the schedule calls for additional doses, those doses matter.

Always follow the healthcare professional’s recommendations.

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Can Parents Buy Childhood Vaccines From a Pharmacy?

Vaccines are not ordinary over-the-counter medicines and require appropriate storage, handling and administration by trained healthcare professionals. Parents should not purchase a vaccine online and attempt to administer it to a child at home.

Vaccines can require:

• Controlled temperatures.
• Appropriate storage.
• Professional handling.
• Correct administration.
• Documentation.
• Monitoring after administration.

If you are looking for information about vaccination, speak to an authorised healthcare provider.

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KEPI Schedule Kenya: Vaccine Protection Overview

The KEPI schedule Kenya uses different vaccines to help protect children against multiple serious infectious diseases. Each vaccine has a specific purpose, so parents should follow the complete recommended schedule rather than focusing on only one vaccine.

This is a simplified educational table.

Parents should ask their healthcare provider for details about the specific vaccine administered to their child.

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What Should Parents Do Before an Immunisation Visit?

Before an immunisation visit, parents should bring the child’s vaccination card, note any recent illness or previous vaccine reactions and inform the healthcare worker about relevant medical information. Arriving prepared makes it easier to maintain an accurate vaccination record.

Bring:

• Immunisation card.
• Child’s relevant medical records.
• Information about previous reactions.
• Questions you want answered.

Tell the healthcare worker about:

• Current illness.
• Allergies.
• Previous serious vaccine reactions.
• Current medication.
• Recent hospitalisation.

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What Questions Should Parents Ask About Vaccination?

Parents should feel comfortable asking healthcare workers which vaccine is due, what disease it protects against, what side effects to expect and when the next dose is scheduled. Asking questions helps parents understand the KEPI schedule Kenya rather than simply following dates without context.

Useful questions include:

1. Which vaccine is due today?
2. What does it protect against?
3. Is this the first dose or a subsequent dose?
4. What reactions should I expect?
5. When should I return?
6. What should I do if my child becomes unwell?
7. What should I do if we miss the next appointment?

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Frequently Asked Questions About KEPI Schedule Kenya

What is the KEPI schedule Kenya?

The KEPI schedule Kenya is the national framework for routine childhood immunisation. It guides when children should receive recommended vaccines from birth through early childhood.

What vaccines are given at birth in Kenya?

Routine birth immunisation includes BCG and the birth dose of oral polio vaccine under the national programme. Parents should confirm the current schedule with their healthcare provider.

What vaccines are given at 6 weeks?

The 6-week visit commonly includes pentavalent, OPV, PCV and rotavirus vaccines. The child’s vaccination card and current national guidance should be used to confirm the vaccines due.

What happens if my baby misses a vaccine?

Take the child and vaccination card to a healthcare facility as soon as possible. A healthcare professional can determine the appropriate catch-up doses rather than requiring parents to restart vaccination themselves.

Do vaccines have side effects?

Vaccines can cause temporary reactions such as mild fever, soreness or irritability. Severe or concerning symptoms require prompt medical assessment.

Where should I keep my child’s vaccination card?

Keep the original vaccination card in a safe, dry place and take it to every clinic visit. A photograph can provide a useful backup, but it should not replace the original record where the original is available.

Can I vaccinate my child at another clinic?

A different appropriate health facility may be able to provide vaccination services, particularly if the family has moved or is travelling. Take the child’s vaccination card so the healthcare worker can review previous doses.

Does one missed vaccine mean my child has to start again?

A missed appointment does not automatically mean the entire vaccination series must be restarted. The healthcare worker should review the child’s record and determine the appropriate catch-up schedule.

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Final Takeaway for Parents

The KEPI schedule Kenya gives parents a practical framework for keeping childhood vaccinations on track from birth through early childhood. The most important habit is to keep the child’s immunisation card safe, attend scheduled appointments and contact a healthcare facility promptly when a vaccine date is missed.

Remember:

• Keep the vaccination card safe.
• Attend appointments on time.
• Record every vaccine received.
• Note the next appointment.
• Use reminders on your phone.
• Do not abandon vaccination after a missed date.
• Ask a healthcare professional about catch-up vaccination.
• Report concerning reactions promptly.
• Confirm the current schedule because national recommendations can change.

For child and family healthcare products, you can explore the Mother & Baby section or Mother & Baby Hub at Our Mall Pharmacy.

Contact Our Mall Pharmacy

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