Child vaccination schedule Morocco 2026: all mandatory and recommended vaccines

01The National Immunisation Programme: a Moroccan public health success#

Morocco's National Immunisation Programme (NIP), officially launched in 1987 by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with WHO and UNICEF, is one of the most accomplished and effective public health programmes in the Kingdom. It offers free of charge to all children born in Morocco, without exception and without condition of social coverage, all the essential vaccines recommended by WHO, in all Urban and Rural Health Centres in the country. This universal access policy has enabled Morocco to achieve a national vaccination coverage above 95% according to 2023 WHO data, placing the country among the models in the MENA region and even comparable to the best European systems.

The health results are spectacular and illustrate what vaccination can achieve at the population scale. Polio has been eliminated from Morocco since 1987, while it was responsible each year for several dozen cases of disabling paralysis in children before generalised vaccination. Measles, which caused deadly epidemics in the 1980s (up to 1,000 child deaths per year), is now reduced to a few sporadic imported cases. Diphtheria, neonatal tetanus, severe whooping cough, formerly major causes of infant mortality, have become exceptional. Invasive childhood tuberculosis has seen its incidence fall by 80% thanks to BCG. Chronic hepatitis B in children, previously frequent through vertical transmission, has become rare thanks to systematic neonatal vaccination since 1999.

The NIP currently covers more than 12 vaccines protecting against about twenty infectious agents, and continues to evolve to integrate new vaccines validated by WHO. The most recent and significant additions are the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in 2010, which reduced gastroenteritis hospitalisations by 40% in children under 5, and the introduction of the HPV vaccine for girls in 2022, which should allow in the coming decades the near-elimination of cervical cancer in women vaccinated before exposure to the virus.

Beyond the figures, the NIP relies on an organised network of more than 2,000 health centres distributed throughout the territory, mobile teams that reach remote rural areas, annual catch-up campaigns, and close coordination between Ministry of Health, school medicine, hospitals and private paediatricians. The health booklet, central document for vaccination and growth monitoring, is delivered free of charge at birth in all maternity hospitals.

02The complete vaccination calendar by age#

The Moroccan vaccination calendar is precise and structured to ensure optimal protection at every stage of the child's development. Intervals between doses are calibrated to maximise the immune response while ensuring early protection against the most dangerous diseases for infants.

This close sequence of first injections (2-3-4 months then 9-12-18 months) is no coincidence: it corresponds to the infant's window of maximum vulnerability to infectious diseases, when maternal antibodies received in late pregnancy begin to decrease and the child's own immune system is not yet mature. Early vaccination allows building active immunity before this window opens.

Boosters at 5-6 years (before primary school entry) and 11-13 years (before adolescence) consolidate immunity acquired in childhood and anticipate future exposures linked to social and collective life. Systematic school screening of the vaccination booklet at enrolment is the opportunity to verify completeness of vaccinations and organise catch-ups if necessary.

03Mandatory vaccines integrated into the free NIP#

Let us now detail each vaccine of the calendar, its purpose and the particularities to know for parents.

The BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) protects against tuberculosis, particularly against severe disseminated forms and tuberculous meningitis in young children. Administered within 24 to 72 hours after birth by intradermal injection in the left arm, it causes in the following weeks a small local reaction (papule, sometimes superficial ulcer healing in a few months), perfectly normal and indicating vaccine efficacy. In Morocco, where tuberculosis remains present, BCG is maintained as mandatory at birth.

The hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine is administered for the first time at birth, as part of a strategy to prevent vertical mother-to-child transmission and provide early protection against this potentially serious chronic infection. Three subsequent doses are included in the pentavalent vaccine at 2, 3 and 4 months. This strategy has led to a spectacular drop in chronic infant hepatitis B in Morocco.

The pentavalent vaccine (DTaP-Hib-HBV) is probably the most important of the calendar. It combines in a single injection five distinct protections: diphtheria (which caused fatal suffocation through laryngeal pseudomembranes), tetanus (bacterial toxin causing fatal generalised contractures), whooping cough (responsible for fatal suffocating coughing fits in infants), Haemophilus influenzae type b (major cause of bacterial meningitis in young children), hepatitis B. Four doses are administered: 2 months, 3 months, 4 months and 12 months. This series is crucial and must not be neglected.

The PCV (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) protects against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium responsible for pneumonia, meningitis and severe ear infections in children. Four doses: 2, 3, 4 and 12 months. The introduction of this vaccine has spectacularly reduced pneumococcal meningitis and bacterial pneumonia in Moroccan children.

The polio vaccines (OPV and IPV) protect against poliomyelitis. In Morocco, a combination of OPV (oral polio vaccine) orally, more effective for blocking community transmission, and IPV (injectable polio vaccine) which is safer is used. Several doses are administered from 2 months to 18 months, with a booster at 5-6 years. As polio is eliminated in Morocco, these vaccines maintain herd immunity and protect against possible reintroduction from neighbouring still-endemic countries (Pakistan, Afghanistan).

The rotavirus vaccine (two oral doses at 2 and 3 months) protects against the main cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants. Its introduction in Morocco in 2010 enabled a 40% reduction in paediatric hospitalisations for gastroenteritis. Important: the vaccine must imperatively be administered before 6 months (ideally maximum 24 weeks) due to the very low but existing risk of intussusception in older infants.

The Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine is administered in two doses, at 9 months and 18 months. Measles is an extremely contagious viral disease (15 to 18 people contaminated per case) and potentially serious (encephalitis, pneumonitis, superinfections, rare but fatal subacute sclerosing panencephalitis years later). Its vaccination has enabled near-complete elimination in Morocco. Rubella is generally benign except when it occurs in pregnant women in the first trimester where it causes severe congenital malformations.

The HPV (papillomavirus) vaccine is the latest addition to the NIP, integrated in September 2022 for girls aged 11 to 13 as part of a long-term strategy to prevent cervical cancer. Two doses spaced 6 months apart, ideally administered before the start of sexual activity. Initial coverage was 60% in 2023, with a target of 90% in line with WHO objectives of cervical cancer elimination by 2030.

04Recommended vaccines not included in the NIP#

Several vaccines, scientifically validated and useful, are not (yet) included in the free NIP and remain available in the private sector on medical prescription. Their usefulness depends on the family context, travels, individual risk factors.

The chickenpox vaccine is recommended in children over 12 months, ideally before entry into a community setting. Chickenpox, benign in the vast majority of cases, can cause severe complications (varicella pneumonitis, meningoencephalitis, severe skin superinfections) in some children, and remains very unpleasant on a daily basis. Two doses spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart, about 350 MAD per dose at the pharmacy.

The hepatitis A vaccine protects against this viral hepatitis transmitted through food (water or food contaminated by faeces), still relatively present in Morocco. Particularly recommended before travel to endemic areas or in case of family history. Two doses spaced 6 months apart, about 250 MAD per dose.

The meningococcal ACWY vaccine is recommended before travel to the "African meningitis belt" (Sahel, sub-Saharan Africa), for the pilgrimage to Mecca (where it is required), or in case of local epidemic. One dose, about 500 MAD.

The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended annually in at-risk children (asthmatics, cardiac patients, diabetics, immunocompromised) from 6 months of age, and is useful for all children in collective settings. One annual dose, about 100-150 MAD. The NIP distributes it free of charge to at-risk people in CSU/CSR.

The meningococcal B vaccines and MMR-V (measles-mumps-rubella-varicella combined) are also available in some countries and progressively integrated according to recommendations.

Several complementary mutuelles (private mutuelles, company mutuelles) cover these recommended vaccines, which facilitates access. CNOPS partially reimburses certain vaccines on medical prescription.

05Catch-up in case of delay#

It happens that children accumulate delay in their vaccination calendar for various reasons: illness at the time of the appointment, forgetting, moving house, difficult context. The fundamental rule to know is that it is NEVER necessary to start everything over — already received doses count and remain valid, regardless of the time elapsed.

The catch-up schedule is individually adapted by the paediatrician or health centre doctor according to several parameters: child's current age, doses already received (verifiable on the health booklet), missing vaccines, relative urgency according to exposures. The general principle is to respect minimum intervals between two doses of the same vaccine (generally 4 to 8 weeks) and to catch up progressively without rushing. Several vaccines can be administered simultaneously (the "co-administration" practice) to limit travel and accelerate the update.

If you find that your child is behind, make an appointment as soon as possible at the nearest health centre or with your paediatrician. Bring the health booklet. The doctor will establish a personalised catch-up schedule. The vast majority of situations are caught up without problem in a few months. The earlier you act, the faster the child will be protected.

For adopted children or those born abroad whose vaccination booklet is uncertain or lost, serologies (specific antibody dosages) can be performed to verify acquired immunity and adapt the catch-up schedule. This approach is more expensive but useful in certain particular situations.

06Normal side effects and real emergencies#

Vaccination, like any medical act, may be accompanied by adverse effects which it is important to know to avoid unnecessary worry and recognise the rare situations that justify urgent consultation.

Benign and frequent side effects are expected and indicate a good immune response. Moderate fever (below 38.5°C) within 24 to 48 hours following vaccination is very common (30-50% of cases) and witnesses the activation of the immune system. It is treated with paediatric paracetamol (15 mg/kg every 6 hours) in case of discomfort. Redness or swelling at the injection site is also common, generally painless after a few hours, relieved by a cool local compress. Transient irritability, crying or malaise in infants is common and lasts 1 to 2 days. Transient drowsiness or slight loss of appetite for 24 to 48 hours are also normal.

Several more specific reactions are expected with certain vaccines. BCG often causes a small local ulceration that spontaneously heals in several weeks to several months — this is normal and requires no treatment. The MR vaccine can cause a transient skin rash 7 to 10 days after the injection (expected "vaccinal" reaction, not contagious). The pertussis vaccine can cause more marked fever (up to 39°C) and irritability within 24-48 hours.

Real vaccine emergencies are extremely rare (less than 1 case per 100,000 doses administered) but must be known. Fever above 40°C not yielding to antipyretics. Febrile convulsions occurring in the hours following vaccination. Severe allergic reaction (facial oedema, respiratory distress, generalised urticaria, anaphylactic shock) occurring in the minutes or hours following the injection — hence the practice of keeping vaccinated patients under observation for 15 minutes after the injection. Major apathy or unusual extreme drowsiness. Hypotonic-hyporesponsive episode (the child becomes floppy, pale, unresponsive). All these situations require a call to 141 or 15 and an urgent consultation. But again, these events are exceptional — vaccine risk is massively lower than the risk of the diseases the vaccines prevent.

07Where to get vaccinated concretely#

In Morocco, access to vaccination is facilitated by a dense territorial network.

For free NIP vaccines

Urban Health Centres (CSU) and Rural Health Centres (CSR) are the reference structures, present in all communes. They administer all the vaccines of the mandatory calendar free of charge. Bring the parent's national identity card and the child's health booklet. No affiliation to any social coverage scheme is required — the NIP covers all children born in Morocco without exception.

Public hospitals and CHUs also have paediatric services that can administer vaccines, particularly for children with particular pathologies requiring specialist advice (immunocompromised, premature, congenital cardiac patients).

For paid recommended vaccines

Private paediatric practices in town are the most practical and structured option. The paediatrician advises according to the family context, prescribes the vaccine and administers it. Private clinics also have paediatric services. Pharmacies can deliver certain vaccines on medical prescription (the vaccine must then be administered by a doctor or nurse). The Pasteur Institute of Morocco (Casablanca, Tangier) and some airports offer specialised international vaccination consultations for travel.

08The vaccination booklet, an essential document#

The health booklet delivered free of charge at birth is an essential document to be kept carefully throughout life. It contains the complete history of the child's vaccinations with date, place, brand and batch number of the vaccine, allowing complete traceability essential in case of subsequent medical question.

The booklet is required in several situations: school enrolment (nursery, kindergarten, primary, lower secondary, upper secondary school — systematic verification of vaccination update), summer camp enrolment, travel abroad (long-stay visa for studies, pilgrimage to Mecca, immigration), constitution of the adult medical file (childhood vaccinations remaining relevant in adulthood for certain therapeutic decisions). Keep it safe, possibly make a photographed copy to guard against loss.

A digital health booklet is being deployed by the Ministry of Health via the Santé Maroc application, which will eventually allow remote consultation and sharing of the booklet. This dematerialisation, in full development, will facilitate coordination between health professionals and improve vaccine catch-up follow-up.

09Vaccination coverage, a collective issue#

Beyond individual protection, vaccination is a major collective issue. When enough people are vaccinated in a population (95% for measles, for example), herd immunity or group immunity is achieved that also protects the rare non-vaccinable people (very young infants, immunocompromised, vaccine-allergic) by preventing virus circulation.

Conversely, a drop in vaccination coverage causes the reappearance of diseases thought to have disappeared. Several European countries have experienced measles epidemics in recent years linked to a drop in vaccination coverage below the critical threshold. In Morocco, the current exemplary vaccination coverage (95% and more) protects the entire community — it is essential to maintain it.

Vaccinating one's children according to the official calendar is therefore both an act of individual protection of the child and an act of solidarity with other children, particularly the most vulnerable who cannot be vaccinated themselves. This collective approach to health is one of the most beautiful achievements of modern medicine and the Moroccan National Immunisation Programme.