Vaccinations for Children: Understanding Different Schedules for International Families | Rodolico Health

Vaccinations for Children: Understanding Different Schedules for International Families | Rodolico Health

Recent reports of meningitis cases in the UK have prompted many parents (including myself) to pause and think. When we hear news like this, our first instinct is often to look within our own families and ask a simple question: have we done everything we can to protect our children?

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways we protect children from serious infectious diseases. For many families, reassurance comes from knowing their children are “fully vaccinated”.

For international families moving between different countries, however, that question can be more complicated than it first appears.

When “Fully Vaccinated” Looks Different

When my own family moved to Italy, my eldest daughter was entirely up to date with her vaccinations according to the UK schedule.

I assumed this meant everything would align perfectly with the Italian system. In reality, I was surprised to discover that this was not quite the case.

Some vaccines were given at different ages. Others appeared on the Italian schedule but not on the UK one, and vice versa. In the end, my husband and I spent several hours comparing records and schedules to understand what was missing from what we had always considered a “fully vaccinated child”.

It was a useful reminder that vaccination programmes are designed around the needs of each country.

Why Vaccination Schedules Differ Between Countries

National vaccination schedules are not identical because the epidemiology of diseases varies between countries.

A good example is bacterial meningitis. The types of meningococcal infection circulating in different regions are not always the same, and the age groups most affected can also vary. In some countries, the highest risk occurs in infancy, while in others it may be seen more commonly in adolescents and young adults.

This helps explain why meningococcal vaccines may be given at different ages in different national programmes. Each schedule is designed to provide protection at the point in life when the risk is highest.

For families moving between countries, however, these differences can sometimes leave small but important gaps in protection.

A Common Experience for International Families

As I began practising at Rodolico Health, I quickly realised that our family’s experience was far from unique.

Many international families arrive in Florence with children who are fully vaccinated according to their home country’s schedule, only to discover that local recommendations are slightly different.

Sometimes the difference is simply timing. In other cases, certain vaccines may be missing entirely because they are not routinely used in another country.

Working through this can be confusing and time-consuming for parents, particularly when records come from multiple healthcare systems.

One of the ways I help families in my clinic is by reviewing vaccination records and comparing international schedules. If you are unsure whether your child’s vaccinations are fully up to date, you are very welcome to get in touch and I would be happy to review the records with you.

The Reality of Vaccinations as a Parent

As both a doctor and a parent, I will admit something openly: I still dread vaccination appointments for my children.

They can be stressful days.

There is often preparation, reassurance, negotiation (and I will admit to the occasional bribery). Parents find themselves carefully deciding when to tell their child about the appointment and how best to prepare them.

Even when we know vaccines are important, it does not always make the experience easier in the moment. Explaining the importance of vaccination to a child can also be surprisingly challenging.

Making the Vaccination Experience Easier for Children

One advantage of working in a small clinic is that appointments do not need to feel rushed.

When children come for vaccinations at Rodolico Health, I try to ensure that the experience is as calm and predictable as possible. We take time to allow children to settle into the room and to explain what will happen in clear, age-appropriate language. Both parents and children have the opportunity to ask questions, and I often find that simply giving children a little time to understand what is happening helps them feel more in control.

Simple distraction techniques can also make a big difference. Sometimes this might involve conversation, breathing exercises, or asking a child to focus on a toy or object in the room. Giving children a moment to regain their composure before the injection, rather than rushing through the process, often makes the experience far less overwhelming.

Teenagers benefit from being included in the conversation as well. Allowing them to ask questions and take some ownership of their own healthcare can help the process feel more respectful and less intimidating. This becomes particularly relevant as children grow older and begin to encounter vaccinations that are linked to longer-term disease prevention, such as the HPV vaccine.

For younger children, preparation beforehand can also help. Educational programmes such as “Get Well Soon” (available on YouTube) explain vaccinations in a gentle and reassuring way that many children respond well to.

Small steps like these can make the experience much less intimidating for both children and parents.

Helping Families Understand Vaccination Gaps

Having navigated the complexities of vaccination schedules myself as a parent, I understand how confusing this process can feel.

By helping families interpret vaccination records from different countries and identify any gaps, we can work together to make sure children and teenagers are appropriately protected for the country they are living in now.

Vaccination also continues throughout adulthood, with programmes such as influenza and COVID boosters forming an important part of ongoing preventative healthcare.

It is also important to remember that most childhood vaccinations in Italy are provided through the Sistema Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) and are available free of charge through local vaccination centres.

A Note on Vaccine Discussions

This article focuses on understanding vaccination schedules and closing gaps for families who have moved between countries.

The broader question of whether parents should vaccinate their children is a different and often more personal discussion. If parents have questions or reservations, I am always happy to talk through them carefully.

Healthcare decisions are best made when families feel informed, supported and able to ask questions.

Useful Resources

For parents who would like to learn more about vaccinations and public health recommendations, the following resources are helpful:

 

If you would like to discuss your child’s vaccinations or review their vaccination record, you are very welcome to get in touch or book an appointment.

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