Turkey Adds Second Chickenpox Vaccine Dose for Children Aged 4-6

Turkey’s Health Ministry has updated the national childhood vaccination schedule to include a second dose of the chickenpox vaccine for children aged 4 to 6, according to Hürriyet. The move follows the ministry’s recent decision to revise the official immunization timeline, which previously only included a single chickenpox shot.

The change has left some families uncertain about whether the extra dose is necessary, Hürriyet reports. Health experts quoted by the outlet are now fielding questions from parents, particularly those whose children have already had chickenpox and are wondering if they still need the second shot.

The second dose is being rolled out for children in the 4-6 age bracket, as confirmed by multiple Turkish outlets including T24 and Halk TV. The updated schedule means that children who received their first chickenpox vaccination at the standard younger age will now be eligible for a booster before starting primary school.

For children who have already contracted chickenpox naturally, the question of whether to vaccinate remains a point of confusion. According to T24, experts are addressing whether illness-induced immunity removes the need for the additional dose. The Health Ministry’s revised calendar, however, applies broadly to the age group, regardless of prior infection history.

chickenpox vaccine

The adjustment aligns Turkey with a two-dose chickenpox strategy already common in several other countries, where the second shot aims to strengthen long-term immunity. The ministry’s action comes amid ongoing efforts to standardize pediatric protection across the country.

Parents are advised to consult their family doctors or local health centers to confirm their child’s vaccination status under the new schedule. Watch for further official guidance from the ministry on how the second dose will be administered in practice.