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| Baby Receiving Immunization |
Updated: August 2026
Missing a child's vaccination appointment can worry parents.
Perhaps the child was sick on the scheduled day. The family travelled. A vaccine was unavailable at the health facility. The vaccination card was lost. The caregiver forgot the appointment, or access to the clinic was difficult.
Whatever the reason, one important message should be clear:
A missed vaccination appointment does not usually mean the opportunity to protect your child has been lost.
Children who have missed vaccines may be able to receive catch-up vaccination.
WHO defines catch-up vaccination as vaccinating someone who has missed vaccine doses for which they are eligible under the national immunization schedule. Catch-up should be a continuing part of routine immunization services, not something reserved only for special campaigns. (World Health Organization)
So if your child's vaccination is late, do not simply assume it is now too late.
Return to an appropriate health facility with the child's vaccination record, if available, and let a trained health worker determine what vaccines are still needed.
What Is Catch-Up Vaccination?
Catch-up vaccination helps children and other eligible people receive vaccines they should have received earlier but missed.
A child may need catch-up vaccination because:
vaccination started late
one or more appointments were missed
the vaccination series was interrupted
vaccines were unavailable at the scheduled visit
health services were disrupted
the family moved to another community
access to health services was difficult
the caregiver was unsure when to return
the child's vaccination history is incomplete
WHO recommends that countries maintain policies for identifying people who have missed eligible doses and vaccinating them at the earliest appropriate opportunity. (World Health Organization)
If My Child Misses a Vaccine, Do We Start Everything Again?
Usually, no.
This corrects an important misconception that appeared in some older vaccination information.
WHO's current guidance on interrupted or delayed vaccination shows that for many routine vaccines, an interrupted series can be resumed without repeating doses already received. The exact approach depends on the vaccine, the child's age, doses previously received and applicable national guidance. (World Health Organization)
For example, WHO's delayed-vaccination recommendations include resuming rather than routinely restarting interrupted series for vaccines such as hepatitis B and several other childhood vaccines. (World Health Organization)
That means parents should not make the decision themselves that:
“We missed the date, so there is no point going back.”
Go back.
Let the health worker review the child's history and determine the appropriate catch-up plan.
What Should I Do If My Child Misses a Vaccination Appointment?
The first step is straightforward:
Return to the vaccination clinic as soon as reasonably possible.
You do not need to wait until another child in the family has an appointment.
Take the child's vaccination card with you.
The healthcare worker can check:
the child's age
which vaccines have already been received
how many doses were received
when the last dose was given
which vaccines are overdue
which vaccines the child is still eligible to receive
the appropriate interval before any subsequent dose
WHO emphasizes providing catch-up opportunities through routine services, outreach, mobile services, school-based delivery and other locally appropriate strategies. (World Health Organization)
What If the Vaccination Card Is Lost?
Do not avoid the clinic because you cannot find the card.
Tell the health worker that the child's vaccination record is missing.
Provide as much information as you can remember, including:
where the child previously received vaccines
approximately when vaccines were given
whether the child completed earlier infant visits
whether another clinic may have a record
The health facility can then advise you on the appropriate next steps.
Do not guess vaccination dates or write unverified doses onto a replacement card yourself.
Once a new record is provided, keep it somewhere safe and bring it to future vaccination visits.
What If My Child Has Never Received Any Vaccines?
A child who has received none of the routine vaccines expected for their age is often described in immunization programmes as a zero-dose child, although programme definitions can be more specific.
This remains a major public-health challenge in Nigeria.
In April 2026, UNICEF reported an estimated 2.2 million unvaccinated children in Nigeria, the highest number in Africa. (UNICEF)
The global Big Catch-Up initiative also reported reaching about 2 million previously zero-dose children in Nigeria with a first DTP-containing vaccine dose, demonstrating that children who have been missed can still be reached. (World Health Organization)
If your child has never been vaccinated, do not assume that vaccination cannot begin because the child is older than the usual starting age.
Visit an appropriate immunization service for assessment.
The vaccines offered will depend on the child's age, previous history, national policy and current eligibility.
What If My Child Received Some Vaccines but Not Others?
This is another common situation.
A child may have received vaccines shortly after birth and during early infancy but then missed later appointments.
Another child may have received most vaccines but missed one particular dose.
These children should not automatically be treated as though they have never been vaccinated.
Their existing vaccination record should be reviewed and the missing doses identified.
WHO publishes specific recommendations for interrupted and delayed vaccination because catch-up requirements differ between vaccines. (World Health Organization)
Can Vaccines Be Given Later Than the Recommended Age?
For many vaccines, delayed vaccination is possible, but there are important differences between vaccines.
Some have particular age limits, minimum ages or intervals between doses.
Others can be given later under catch-up recommendations.
This is why an internet article should not prescribe a universal catch-up schedule for every child.
A child's catch-up plan should be based on:
age
previous vaccination history
vaccine involved
time since previous doses
current Nigerian immunization guidance
relevant medical considerations
Parents should therefore use this article to understand the principle of catch-up vaccination, not to calculate doses themselves.
For the routine schedule itself, use AnjKreb's current Nigeria Childhood Immunization Schedule article rather than the old schedule previously published on this page.
Why Are Vaccines Given at Particular Ages?
Vaccination schedules are not random calendars.
The timing of doses considers factors such as:
when children are most vulnerable to a disease
when their immune systems can respond effectively
how many doses are needed for adequate protection
appropriate intervals between doses
the epidemiology of the disease
practical delivery through national programmes
WHO's routine immunization recommendations specify ages for first doses, primary series and intervals according to the characteristics of individual vaccines. (World Health Organization)
Receiving vaccines on schedule therefore remains preferable.
Catch-up vaccination is a safety net when timely vaccination did not happen.
Does Delaying Vaccination Matter?
Yes.
The fact that a missed vaccine can sometimes be given later does not mean timing is unimportant.
A delay can leave a child unprotected or incompletely protected during the period before catch-up occurs.
That matters because diseases such as measles, polio, pertussis and other vaccine-preventable infections can cause serious illness.
WHO emphasizes that timely vaccination helps protect children as early as possible and reduces immunity gaps that can contribute to outbreaks. (World Health Organization)
The practical message is:
Do not panic about a missed appointment, but do not postpone catching up unnecessarily either.
My Child Was Sick on Vaccination Day. What Should I Do?
Parents sometimes miss vaccination because a child develops fever, cough, diarrhoea or another illness around the appointment.
Whether vaccination should be given depends on the child's condition and the vaccine involved.
Do not automatically decide that every minor illness means vaccination must be postponed.
Instead, take the child to the clinic and tell the healthcare worker about the illness.
The health worker can assess whether vaccination can proceed or should be delayed.
A child who is seriously ill should receive appropriate medical assessment.
Can Several Vaccines Be Given During One Visit?
Depending on the child's age, vaccination history and vaccines involved, more than one vaccine may sometimes be administered during the same visit.
National immunization schedules routinely involve giving multiple vaccines at certain contacts.
This does not mean parents should decide independently which vaccines should be combined.
The vaccinator should determine what is appropriate according to the catch-up schedule.
What If the Clinic Previously Ran Out of a Vaccine?
Vaccine stock-outs and service interruptions can contribute to missed vaccination.
If this happens, ask:
when the vaccine is expected to become available
whether another approved vaccination facility can provide it
when you should return
whether other vaccines due that day can still be administered
Keep the child's vaccination card updated.
Do not assume that because one vaccine was unavailable, all future vaccination should stop.
Is Catch-Up Vaccination Only for Babies?
No.
Although infant vaccination receives substantial attention, catch-up strategies can extend to older children and other eligible age groups depending on the vaccine and national programme.
WHO's catch-up framework specifically exists to identify people who remain eligible for doses they previously missed. (World Health Organization)
However, eligibility differs by vaccine.
This is another reason to seek an individualized assessment rather than following an old internet schedule.
What About HPV Vaccination?
HPV vaccination is now an important part of cervical-cancer prevention.
If an eligible girl misses an HPV vaccination opportunity, parents should ask an appropriate health facility about current eligibility and catch-up arrangements rather than assuming the opportunity has permanently passed.
For more information on why HPV vaccination matters, read AnjKreb's guide to Cervical Cancer: Symptoms, HPV, Screening, Treatment and Prevention.
What About Hepatitis B Vaccination?
Hepatitis B vaccination is particularly important because infection can become chronic and eventually contribute to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
WHO recommends a hepatitis B birth dose as soon as possible after birth, ideally within 24 hours, followed by additional doses according to the routine schedule.
If later doses are interrupted, WHO guidance generally recommends resuming the series rather than repeating previously received doses. (World Health Organization)
For a detailed explanation of the infection, read:
Hepatitis B and C: Symptoms, Testing, Treatment and Prevention
Why Catch-Up Vaccination Matters in Nigeria
Nigeria's challenge is not simply introducing vaccines.
Children must actually receive them.
Barriers can include:
distance to vaccination services
missed appointments
population movement
insecurity
misinformation
vaccine hesitancy
health-worker shortages
service interruptions
vaccine availability
lack of awareness
socioeconomic barriers
UNICEF reported in April 2026 that Nigeria still had an estimated 2.2 million unvaccinated children. (UNICEF)
Closing these gaps requires more than blaming parents.
Health systems need reliable vaccines, accessible services, accurate records, effective communication, outreach and systems for identifying children who have missed doses.
What Parents Can Do
Keep your child's vaccination card.
Check the date of the next appointment before leaving the clinic.
Use a phone reminder if necessary.
If you relocate, take the vaccination card to the new health facility.
Ask questions when you do not understand what vaccine your child is receiving.
If an appointment is missed, return rather than abandoning the vaccination schedule.
And do not rely on social-media vaccination schedules when an official health service can review your child's actual history.
Common Myths About Missed Vaccination
Myth: If you miss the vaccination date, the vaccine can never be given again.
Fact: Many delayed or interrupted vaccination series can be resumed. Exact catch-up recommendations depend on the vaccine and individual circumstances. (World Health Organization)
Myth: Every missed vaccine means starting all vaccinations again.
Fact: Usually not. For many vaccines, previous valid doses do not need to be repeated simply because the series was interrupted. (World Health Organization)
Myth: An older child cannot receive vaccines missed during infancy.
Fact: Catch-up vaccination exists specifically to help eligible people receive doses they previously missed. Age eligibility varies by vaccine. (World Health Organization)
Myth: Catch-up vaccination means routine vaccination failed.
Fact: Catch-up is a normal and necessary component of a functioning immunization programme. (World Health Organization)
Myth: It is safer to wait until the child is older.
Fact: Unnecessary delay can leave children susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases during the period when they are unprotected.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child missed vaccination by one week. Is it too late?
Usually, a short delay does not mean the vaccination series has been lost. Return to the vaccination clinic and have the child's record reviewed.
My child missed several months. Should we still go back?
Yes. The health worker can determine which vaccines the child remains eligible to receive and develop an appropriate catch-up plan.
Do we need to start vaccination from birth again?
Usually not. Many interrupted vaccine series can be resumed without repeating valid previous doses. (World Health Organization)
What if I cannot remember which vaccines my child received?
Take any available records to the health facility and explain the situation. Do not invent vaccination dates.
Should I use an online catch-up schedule myself?
An online guide can help you understand vaccination, but the actual catch-up plan should be determined from the child's age, documented history and applicable national recommendations.
Can an unvaccinated older child still receive vaccines?
Potentially, yes. Eligibility depends on the vaccine and age. Take the child for assessment rather than assuming it is too late.
Where can I take my child for vaccination in Nigeria?
Routine childhood vaccination is commonly provided through government primary healthcare facilities and other authorized immunization services. Availability can differ locally, so check with the appropriate health facility in your area.
The Bottom Line
Missing a childhood vaccination appointment is not a reason to give up on vaccination.
The best approach is:
return, review, catch up and continue.
Do not assume the entire vaccination series must be restarted.
Do not assume an older child can no longer receive any missed vaccine.
And do not rely on an outdated vaccination schedule to make the decision yourself.
Take the child's vaccination record to an appropriate health facility and allow a trained healthcare worker to determine what is due.
Timely vaccination is best.
When vaccination is delayed, catch-up vaccination helps close the gap.
References and Further Reading
WHO: Recommendations for Interrupted or Delayed Routine Immunization
WHO: Routine Immunization Recommendations for Children
WHO: Leave No One Behind, Guidance for Catch-Up Vaccination
UNICEF Nigeria: Reaching Unvaccinated Children in Nigeria, April 2026
WHO/UNICEF: Results of the Big Catch-Up, April 2026
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