Jordan Vaccination Schedule 2026: Where to Vaccinate Your Child and What It Costs

The Jordan Vaccination Schedule 2026 is applied free of charge to every child in Jordan, regardless of nationality, at Ministry of Health centers and Mother and Child Health departments [4]. This year, a single dose of the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine at 12 months of age has been added [5]. Optional vaccines outside the national program are given at private clinics at prices that vary from one clinic to another, so ask about the price before the appointment.

What is new in the Jordan Vaccination Schedule 2026?

The national program begins at birth with the BCG (tuberculosis) vaccine and the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. Doses then follow one another during the first months, and booster vaccines continue up to age 16. We do not repeat the full schedule here, as it is published in full, with an explanation of each vaccine, in our article Vaccinations and the Full Jordanian Schedule and Their Importance.

This guide focuses on two practical questions: where a child gets vaccinated, and how much vaccines cost. The official child vaccination card and the health center remain the final reference for any appointment.

Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine: a 2026 addition

The Ministry of Health announced the introduction of the varicella vaccine as the 14th vaccine in the national program [5]. Its main details are:

• Age: a single dose at 12 months of age.
• Target group: children born from January 1, 2025 onward, after they complete their first year.
• Where it is given: all health centers, through Mother and Child Health departments.
• Start of implementation: May 9, 2026 [5].

The decision was based on recommendations from the National Technical Advisory Committee on Immunization, and on national studies that showed a large economic burden of chickenpox. The vaccine has been used worldwide since 1995 [5].

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was introduced into the national program in 2025 [2]. According to UNICEF Jordan, that year 35,199 Jordanian children and 2,256 refugee children were vaccinated against this disease [2]. We could not confirm the exact ages for its doses, so please check your child's current card at the health center. For general information about this vaccine, you can read the page Pneumococcal Vaccine (Synflorix / Prevenar).

Combination vaccines reduce the number of injections

Jordan uses combination vaccines that bring together more than one antigen in a single injection. Examples include the MMR vaccine and the hexavalent vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B, and polio [5]. This reduces the physical and emotional burden on the child and the family.

Where do you vaccinate your child in Jordan?

Health centers and Mother and Child Health centers

Every child in Jordan, regardless of nationality, has the right to receive vaccines free of charge at any health center under the Ministry of Health [4]. Routine vaccination has been mandatory in Jordan since 1979 [4]. Ministry of Health centers and Mother and Child Health centers are spread across all governorates. They are the bodies that give the national program's vaccines and record them on the official card.

For families who find it difficult to reach the centers, UNICEF works with the Ministry of Health through mobile teams that visit the most disadvantaged communities and provide checkups, nutrition services, and vaccines [2].

Private pediatric clinics

Some private pediatric clinics offer child vaccination services, which usually include the optional vaccines outside the national program. Some parents prefer a private clinic because it combines the vaccine with growth monitoring and follow-up with pediatricians in Jordan. In this case, make sure every vaccine is clearly recorded in the child's card.

Vaccines are not only for children

Vaccination is a right for everyone, and the national program provides its vaccines free of charge to everyone living in Jordan at Ministry of Health centers [4]. Adults and family members may also need other vaccines, such as the influenza vaccine, as determined by the doctor.

How much do vaccines cost in Jordan? Are they free?

The short answer: vaccines in the national program are free at Ministry of Health centers for every child in Jordan [4]. This includes what appears in the Jordan Vaccination Schedule 2026, including the new varicella vaccine, which is given at all health centers [5].

Optional vaccines outside the program are given at private clinics at varying prices, and there is no single price we can state. The prices of medicines in general are regulated by the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA). The total cost at a clinic depends on several factors:

• The type of vaccine and its manufacturer.
• The consultation or visit fee at the clinic, which may be charged separately from the vaccine price. You can read what determines the cost of a medical consultation in Jordan.
• The number of doses the vaccine requires.

Practical tip: Call the clinic before the appointment and ask about the vaccine price, the administration fee, and whether the vaccine is available that day.

Health center or private clinic: a quick comparison

The following table helps you choose the most suitable place for your child. The two options can be combined: national program vaccines at the health center, and optional vaccines at a clinic.

Whatever your choice, the most important thing is that your child keeps to the appointments in the Jordan Vaccination Schedule 2026, and that the vaccination card stays up to date.

How do you prepare for a vaccination appointment?

Following the vaccination schedule gives the child protection at the right time, and gives the body a chance to build immunity before it is exposed to these diseases [3]. For an easier visit, follow these steps:

1. Bring the vaccination card to every visit, whether to the health center or the clinic.
2. Tell the nurse or doctor if the child is unwell, has a known allergy, or has previously reacted to a vaccine.
3. Ask about the name of the vaccine, the disease it protects against, and the date of the next dose.
4. Calm your child with a hug, breastfeeding, or a familiar toy.
5. Note the next appointment in your phone so you do not miss it.

To understand how vaccines work, you can read the definition of Vaccine in the medical glossary.

What should you do if your child misses a vaccination appointment in the Jordan Vaccination Schedule 2026?

There is no need to worry or blame yourself, but do not delay further. Go to the nearest health center with the card, and the staff will review what the child has received and what was missed. Do not try to arrange the doses yourself. The health center or the pediatrician will determine the right plan for your child's age.

Keeping to the schedule is important because measles, due to how quickly it spreads, quickly exposes any gap in community immunity [1]. Globally, 13.5 million children had not received any vaccine at all in 2025 [1]. In Jordan, the number of these children fell from 7,000 in 2024 to 1,480 in 2025 [2].

Are vaccines safe? Do they overwhelm a child's immune system?

Vaccines are safe and undergo intensive testing and evaluation before they are approved. Many scientific studies have examined their link to autism and found no association [3]. For more, read our answer to the question Do vaccines cause autism?

Vaccines also do not overload the immune system. A healthy child's body faces thousands of germs every day, and what it encounters in vaccines is a tiny amount by comparison, even if it receives more than one vaccine on the same day [3]. Vaccinating your child also protects others through what is known as "herd immunity" [3].

The results of vaccination in Jordan

• Approximately 98.2% of children have received their vaccines [2].
• Jordan has been free of polio since 1992 [4].
• The last cases of diphtheria and tetanus were recorded in 1995 [5].

For comparison, global coverage with the third dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine reached 85% in 2025, and with the first dose of the measles vaccine, 84% [1]. However, UNICEF points to rising vaccine hesitancy since the COVID-19 pandemic, and warns that its continuation could bring back diseases that were under control [2]. To learn more about specific vaccines, see the pages on MMR vaccine and Rotavirus vaccine.

What side effects are expected after a vaccine? When should you see a doctor or go to emergency?

According to the Jordanian Ministry of Health, as conveyed by UNICEF, common symptoms after vaccination include [4]:

• Mild fever up to 38°C.
• Pain, redness, or warmth at the injection site.
• Mild diarrhea.

These symptoms usually go away within a few days, and warm compresses and pain relievers can be used [4]. The dose of a children's fever reducer is determined by weight and by a doctor's prescription or a pharmacist's guidance.

See a doctor or call the vaccination clinic if:

• The fever rises above 38°C or lasts longer than expected.
• Swelling or redness at the injection site increases instead of improving.
• The child refuses to breastfeed or eat, or shows unusual lethargy.
• You have any concern, as asking is always better than waiting.

Call 911 or go immediately to the nearest emergency department if the following appear:

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing.
• Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, or a rash that spreads quickly.
• Seizures, loss of consciousness, or difficulty waking the child.
• Continuous crying that will not settle, or severe paleness and coldness of the limbs.

How do you find a suitable pediatrician or vaccination clinic in Jordan?

If you choose a private clinic for optional vaccines or for follow-up, start by searching by specialty and governorate. The ClinicsJo directory lets you browse pediatricians' and clinics' profiles, then contact them or book where the profile allows. Useful pages include pediatricians in Amman, pediatricians in Irbid, and pediatricians in Zarqa. For residents of the south, you can use the Karak doctors and clinics guide by specialty.

What to check in a doctor's or clinic's profile

• That the specialty is pediatrics, and that vaccination services are listed among the services.
• The location, working hours, and how to contact them.
• How close the clinic is to your home, since vaccinations are repeated over many years.

Questions to ask when you call

1. Is the vaccine I need available now?
2. How much does the vaccine cost, and is the consultation fee separate?
3. Will the dose be recorded in the official vaccination card?
4. Is this vaccine part of the national program, so I can get it free at the health center?

Remember that the Jordan Vaccination Schedule 2026 is free at Ministry of Health centers. When you choose a private clinic, let it be with full knowledge of what you are paying and why.

This article is for general health education and does not replace consultation with a doctor or health staff at your center. Your child's official card is the reference.

Frequently asked questions

Are children's vaccines free in Jordan for non-Jordanians?

Yes. Vaccines in the national program are free for every child living in Jordan regardless of nationality, and they are given at Ministry of Health health centers and Mother and Child Health centers. Optional vaccines outside the program are usually given at private clinics, at prices that vary from one clinic to another.

When does my child get the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine in Jordan?

The varicella vaccine is given as a single dose at 12 months of age to children born from January 1, 2025 onward. Its implementation began on May 9, 2026, and it is available at all health centers through Mother and Child Health departments. Bring your child's card at the visit so the vaccine is recorded in it.

Is the pneumococcal vaccine part of the national program?

Yes, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was introduced into Jordan's national program in 2025. To find out the dose schedule for your child, check the current vaccination card and ask the staff at the health center, as they are the reference for determining the required ages and doses.

How much do optional vaccines cost at private clinics?

There is no single price, as it varies by vaccine type, manufacturer, and number of doses, and a consultation fee may be added at the clinic. Call the clinic before the appointment and ask about the vaccine price, the administration fee, and its availability, and first confirm that it is not part of the free national program.

What should I do if my child misses a vaccination appointment?

Go to the nearest health center as soon as possible with the vaccination card. The staff will review what the child has received and what was missed, and determine the right plan for the child's age. Do not arrange the doses yourself and do not delay further, as keeping to appointments gives the child protection at the right time.

What are the normal side effects after a vaccine, and when should I worry?

Common symptoms include mild fever up to 38 degrees, pain or redness at the injection site, and mild diarrhea, which usually go away within a few days. See a doctor if the fever rises further or the symptoms persist. Call 911 immediately if difficulty breathing, facial swelling, or seizures appear.

Sources and references

1. Immunization coverage — World Health Organization. Accessed: 2026-10-26.
2. Health and nutrition | UNICEF Jordan — UNICEF. Accessed: 2026-10-26.
3. Vaccines for Children | Childhood Immunization — MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed: 2026-10-26.
4. Routine Childhood Immunizations | UNICEF Jordan — UNICEF. Accessed: 2026-10-26.
5. Ministry of Health: "Chickenpox" Vaccine Added to the National... — www.jordannews.jo. Accessed: 2026-10-26.