WHO recommendations for routine immunization - summary tables

In order to assist programme managers develop optimal immunization schedules WHO has compiled key information on its current routine immunization recommendations into two summary tables.

Table 1 summarizes recommended routine immunizations for all age groups - children, adolescents, and adults. As such, it provides an overview of vaccine recommendations across the lifespan, including both primary series and booster doses.

Table 2 provides detailed information for routine immunizations for children, including age at first dose and intervals. It reiterates recommendations on the primary series and booster doses.

It is important to note that these recommendations are not new, but rather are a compilation of existing WHO routine immunization recommendations in a new format. All the recommendations come from WHO Position Papers that are published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record. The tables will be updated regularly to reflect new WHO recommendations.

The tables are designed for use by national immunization managers and key decision-makers, chairs of national advisory commitees on immunization, and partner organizations, including industry.

The tables are not intended for direct use by health workers. Rather their purpose is to aid technical decisions with respect to the national vaccination schedule that will benefit immunization programme impact and efficiency.

By consolidating its many recommendations into two tables, WHO hopes to provide easy access to its policy advice. Such a tool was needed for many reasons, primarily the increasing complexity of immunization schedules and the perceived need to support national immunization programmes to critically examine, and possibly modify, their schedules.

It is hoped that the tables will prove useful in highlighting disparities among countries and in bringing awareness to recommendations that do not get followed. Many countries are appropriately providing additional vaccine antigens, but they lag behind in providing the adequate number of doses or booster doses for traditional vaccines and give little consideration to older age groups. These tables can serve as a driving force and reference tool to help review and improve schedules in keeping with the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS), which promotes immunizing more persons across wider age groups.

WHO would like to receive feedback on the content and format of these tables.

Note: A short "Orientation Guide" is currently being developed as a companion piece to facilitate the use of the WHO summary tables. It will be posted on this website when completed.

Related links

Last updated: 21 April 2009