Vaccines in Japan: The Complete Schedule

Two Types of Vaccines in Japan

Japan has a well-organized vaccination program, and if you've just had a baby, you'll want to get familiar with it early. The first thing to understand is that vaccines here fall into two categories.

定期接種 (teiki sesshu) — routine vaccinations — are covered by the government and free of charge. These follow the national schedule set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and your municipality will send you vouchers (接種券) for each one. Most of the important vaccines fall into this category.

任意接種 (ninni sesshu) — optional vaccinations — are not covered and you pay out of pocket. The seasonal flu vaccine is the most common example. Some families also choose to add the mumps (おたふく風邪) vaccine, which isn't on the routine schedule in Japan.

The Routine Vaccine Schedule

It can look overwhelming at first, but the schedule is actually quite logical once you see it laid out. Almost everything important happens in the first two years — after that, it's mostly boosters and a couple of additions at school age.

* The Five-in-one vaccine (五種混合) covers diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, and Hib — introduced in April 2024, replacing the previous four-in-one and separate Hib vaccines.

What to Bring

Each vaccine appointment is straightforward. Before you go, make sure you have everything below — missing any one of these can mean a wasted trip.

• 母子健康手帳 (Boshi Techou) — your child's health record. Every vaccination gets recorded here, and you'll need it at school enrollment.
• 接種券 (Vaccination voucher) — sent by your municipality, usually in a set. One voucher per vaccine. Don't lose these.
• マイナ保険証 (Insurance) — your child's My Number Card linked to health insurance. As of December 2024, the old 健康保険証 is no longer accepted. If you haven't linked your card yet, bring your 資格確認書 (shikaku kakuninsho — certificate of qualification) instead, which is issued automatically by your insurer.
• 予診票 (Medical form) — a pre-examination questionnaire. Fill this in at home before you go to save time at the clinic.

What Happens on the Day

Most pediatric clinics (小児科) have a simple process. You'll check in, hand over your documents, wait to be called, and the doctor will do a brief check before giving the injection. The whole thing rarely takes more than an hour, including the mandatory 15-minute wait after the shot.

• Book in advance. Most clinics require an appointment for vaccines. Call ahead or book online if the clinic offers it.
• Dress your baby in easy-to-remove clothing. The injection goes in the thigh for babies, the upper arm for older children. Simple clothing makes the appointment smoother.
• Avoid feeding right before. For younger babies especially, try to avoid feeding in the hour before the appointment, as some babies spit up from crying.
• Stay for 15–30 minutes after. Clinics ask you to wait after the injection to watch for any immediate reactions. Don't rush out the door.

Side Effects — What's Normal

Most babies sail through vaccinations without much trouble. Some have a rough day or two, and that's completely normal. Here's what you're likely to see:

• Redness and swelling at the injection site — very common, usually settles within 2–3 days. A cool damp cloth can help.
• Mild fever — a temperature up to around 38°C is a normal immune response. Keep your baby comfortable and watch how they're doing.
• Drowsiness or fussiness — your baby may sleep more than usual or be unsettled for a day or two. This is normal and passes quickly.

Individual Vaccine Guides

Want to know more about a specific vaccine before the appointment? We have dedicated articles covering the most common ones:

Japanese Vocabulary

Useful terms for vaccine appointments in Japan.