Sarah Bennett
Vaccination is mandatory for all children in Mexico under the age of five. The country's Universal Vaccination Program, founded in 1991, is a cornerstone of Mexico's public health system and offers free vaccines to all. The recommended vaccine schedule for children in Mexico includes vaccinations against sixteen vaccine-preventable diseases. The first vaccines are typically administered during the baby's first 24 months in several stages or doses, with the first dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine injected at birth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination Mandatory | Yes |
| Vaccination Card | Required for all children |
| Vaccines Administered | Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, DTaP, Influenza, MMR, Chickenpox, Shingles, Tdap, Polio, Cholera, Rabies, Pneumonia, Meningitis, COVID-19, Typhoid |
| Universal Vaccination Program | Founded in 1991 |
| Vaccination Coverage in Children | 50% for 5 vaccines in infants under 1 year old |
| 59.8% for 4 vaccines in infants aged 15-23 months | |
| 93.2% for 1 dose of MMR in 6-year-olds | |
| Below 50% for 3 vaccines in adolescents | |
| >80% for BCG, HB, Pneumococcal vaccines in 1-year-olds, and MMR in 15-23-month-olds | |
| Cost of Vaccines | Free |
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What You'll Learn
Vaccination is mandatory for all children under five in Mexico
Vaccination is mandatory for all children in Mexico under the age of five. The country's Universal Vaccination Program is based on vaccination cards, which must be presented for enrolment in nurseries and public schools. Mexico's vaccination system is one of the most advanced in Latin America, and all vaccines are provided free of charge.
The recommended vaccine schedule for children in Mexico includes immunisations against sixteen preventable diseases. The first vaccines are typically administered during the baby's first 24 months, in several stages or doses. The specific vaccines and their timelines may vary, but here is an overview of some common vaccines used in young children in Mexico:
- Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine is given in three stages, with the first dose injected at birth to protect against hepatitis B and liver infections.
- Rotavirus (RV) vaccine is administered in two or three doses to shield against rotavirus, which causes diarrhoea.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Whooping Cough (Pertussis) vaccine (DTaP) requires five doses during childhood and is often reinforced during adolescence and adulthood.
- Influenza, or the seasonal flu vaccine, can be given from six months onwards and is administered annually.
It is important to note that while vaccination is mandatory, Mexico's Universal Vaccination Program also recognises the right to vaccination. This means that all children are entitled to receive the necessary immunisations without cost as a fundamental aspect of public health.
The success of Mexico's vaccination program is evident in the country's disease prevention. For example, there were no reported cases of diphtheria, measles, polio, or yellow fever in 2019, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, cases of mumps and pertussis (whooping cough) have been on the rise, emphasising the ongoing importance of vaccination efforts.
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Vaccines are free for all in Mexico
Vaccination is mandatory in Mexico, and it is also a universal right. All vaccines are free in Mexico, and the country has one of the most advanced vaccination schemes in Latin America. The Universal Vaccination Program, founded in 1991, is one of the cornerstones of Mexico's public health system.
The immunization schedule for children in Mexico includes vaccinations against sixteen vaccine-preventable diseases. The schedule also includes Vitamin A supplements for children aged 6 to 59 months. The first vaccines are typically administered during the baby's first 24 months in several stages or doses. For example, the Hepatitis B vaccine, which protects against hepatitis B and liver infections, is injected at birth and followed by two additional doses. The Rotavirus vaccine, which prevents rotavirus and diarrhoea, is given in two or three doses. The DTaP vaccine, which shields against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, requires five doses during childhood and is often reinforced during adolescence and adulthood.
In addition to the routine childhood immunizations, Mexico has also implemented free mass vaccination campaigns in response to outbreaks. For example, in 2025, the government of Chihuahua launched a free vaccination campaign for individuals aged six months to 49 years due to a measles outbreak.
Mexico's vaccination program is based on vaccination cards, which are mandatory for all children under five. These cards are required for enrolment in most nurseries and public schools. The country's comprehensive vaccination scheme has successfully eliminated or controlled various diseases. For instance, the last reported case of diphtheria in Mexico was in 1992, and the country had its first year without polio cases in 1991 and without measles cases in 1997.
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The Mexican government provides vaccination cards to all children
Vaccination is mandatory in Mexico, and it is also a universal right. The country's Universal Vaccination Program, founded in 1991, is one of the cornerstones of Mexico's public health system. All vaccines are free, and Mexico has one of the most advanced vaccination schemes in Latin America.
The first vaccines are typically administered during the baby's first 24 months in several stages or doses. The Hepatitis B vaccine, for instance, is injected at birth, while the Rotavirus vaccine is administered in two or three doses within the first two years of life. The DTaP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, requires five doses during childhood and is often reinforced during adolescence and adulthood.
The Mexican vaccination schedule also includes the seasonal flu vaccine, which can be administered from six months onwards, and Vitamin A supplements offered to all children aged 6 to 59 months.
While vaccination is mandatory, there are some pockets of under-vaccination. A 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey revealed that coverage in infants under one year old was below 70% for three vaccines and below 50% for five vaccines. However, Mexico's vaccination coverage has improved over the years, with no cases of diphtheria, measles, polio, or yellow fever reported in the country in 2019, according to the World Health Organization.
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Sixteen vaccine-preventable diseases are targeted by the vaccination schedule
Vaccination is mandatory in Mexico, and the country has one of the most advanced vaccination schemes in Latin America. The Universal Vaccination Program, founded in 1991, is a cornerstone of Mexico's public health system. All vaccines are free, and the government fully covers the immunisation of children.
The recommended vaccine schedule for children in Mexico contains vaccinations against sixteen vaccine-preventable diseases. These include:
- Hepatitis A (HepA) - protects against hepatitis A and is administered in two doses between the ages of one and two.
- Hepatitis B (HepB) - protects against hepatitis B and liver infections. It is administered in three stages, with the first vaccine injected at birth.
- Rotavirus (RV) - provides protection against rotavirus, which causes diarrhoea. It is administered in two or three doses.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Whooping Cough (Pertussis) (DTaP) - shields against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. It requires five doses during childhood and is often reinforced during adolescence and adulthood.
- Influenza or seasonal flu vaccine - administered annually from six months onwards.
In addition to these sixteen diseases, Mexico's vaccination program also offers Vitamin A supplements to all children aged 6 to 59 months.
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Some diseases in Mexico cannot be prevented by vaccines
Vaccination is mandatory for all children in Mexico, and the country has one of the most advanced vaccination schemes in Latin America. The recommended vaccine schedule for children in Mexico contains vaccinations against sixteen vaccine-preventable diseases. However, some diseases in Mexico cannot be prevented by vaccines.
For instance, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) has been reported in travellers returning to the United States from Tecate, in the state of Baja California, Mexico. Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread in fresh water, is also found in Mexico. Travellers are advised to avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers, to reduce the risk of contracting this infection.
Some other diseases in Mexico, such as dengue, Zika, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and toxoplasmosis, are spread by bugs and cannot be prevented with a vaccine. Insect avoidance measures, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats, are recommended to prevent these illnesses.
Additionally, animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases like rabies, which cannot be prevented by vaccines. Travellers are advised to avoid touching or feeding unknown animals and to seek medical care if they wake up in a room with a bat or if they suspect any other animal exposure.
While vaccines are not available for all diseases in Mexico, they remain one of the most effective tools in modern medicine for disease control and have had a profound impact on public health.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, vaccinations are mandatory in Mexico. The country has one of the most advanced vaccination schemes in Latin America, and its Universal Vaccination Program is a cornerstone of its public health system.
The recommended vaccine schedule for children in Mexico includes vaccinations against sixteen vaccine-preventable diseases. These include:
- Hepatitis A (HepA)
- Hepatitis B (HepB)
- Rotavirus (RV)
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Whooping Cough (Pertussis) (DTaP)
- Influenza or seasonal flu
- MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
Vaccines have been shown to be safe for children in Mexico and there is no evidence that they cause diseases. Vaccines may cause mild side effects, such as redness and swelling at the site of injection, but these typically go away within a few days. Serious side effects are very rare.
