After a child moves to Italy, show the foreign vaccination certificate to the children’s vaccination service at the local health authority. A specialist will assess the documented doses against the child’s age and the Italian schedule. Ask the local service in advance which form of foreign document it accepts and whether a translation is required.

How to check a child’s vaccinations in Italy

  1. Find the children’s vaccination service for your place of residence.
  2. Ask whether an appointment is required and which documents are accepted from the country where the child was vaccinated.
  3. Prepare the original certificate showing dates and vaccine names.
  4. If the entries cannot be read unambiguously in Italian, ask about translation requirements.
  5. At the appointment, request a written record of accepted and missing doses and the dates of future visits.

Mandatory vaccinations for children in Italy

For children from birth to 16 years, there are ten mandatory vaccinations: against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, whooping cough, Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, rubella, mumps and chickenpox. The applicability of individual doses depends on the year of birth, age and confirmed vaccination history.

The public system also provides recommended vaccinations free of charge under the national schedule. The vaccines, number of doses and ages depend on the infection and the child’s vaccination history. The current schedule includes, among others, vaccines against rotavirus, pneumococcus, meningococcus, human papillomavirus and seasonal influenza.

Childhood vaccination schedule in Italy

During the first year, the three-dose primary course of the hexavalent vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and Hib infection. The national schedule also includes separate courses for pneumococcal disease, meningococcal B disease and rotavirus. Vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox begins in the second year, with another dose at 5–6 years.

If dates recorded abroad do not match the Italian schedule, the service assesses the documented doses, intervals and the child’s age. Do not restart a course yourself: ask the specialist to prepare an individual catch-up plan.

What to take to the vaccination service

The exact document list depends on the local service and the child’s circumstances. When booking, ask whether you need identity documents for the child and parent, the codice fiscale (Italian tax code), medical records and a translation of the foreign certificate. Always take the original certificate with dates and vaccine names, together with information about serious reactions and contraindications.

Rimini. The AUSL Romagna children’s vaccination clinic is at Via Coriano 38. As at 23 August 2026, appointments and information are available on 0541 707512 and 0541 707516 and at [email protected]. Check current opening hours on the clinic page before travelling.

Vaccinations for nursery and school in Italy

For nursery school, the compulsory vaccinations are a condition of attendance. A child may still attend primary and later school, but if the requirements have not been met, the local health service begins a catch-up procedure; parents may face an administrative fine of 100 to 500 euros.

If a child becomes unwell after vaccination in Italy

Call 112 or 118 for difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, seizures, loss of consciousness or sudden deterioration. For a fever or another less urgent reaction, follow the advice provided at the appointment and contact the paediatrician.

Call 112

Useful phrases for reporting a post-vaccination reaction to 112

  • Mio figlio sta male dopo la vaccinazione.MEE-oh FEE-lyoh stah MAH-leh DOH-poh lah vak-chee-nah-TSYOH-nehMy child is unwell after the vaccination.
  • Abbiamo bisogno di un’ambulanza.ab-BYAH-moh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oo-nam-boo-LAN-tsahWe need an ambulance.
  • Siamo a Rimini, in via…SYAH-moh ah REE-mee-nee een VEE-ah…We are in Rimini, on Via…
  • Ha avuto una reazione allergica.ah ah-VOO-toh OO-nah reh-at-TSYOH-neh al-LER-jee-kahThey have had an allergic reaction.
  • Ha difficoltà a respirare.ah dee-fee-kol-TAH ah reh-spee-RAH-rehThey are having difficulty breathing.
  • Ha la febbre e sta vomitando.ah lah FEB-breh eh stah voh-mee-TAN-dohThey have a fever and are vomiting.
  • Vorrei controllare il certificato vaccinale di mio figlio.vor-RAY kon-trol-LAH-reh eel cher-tee-fee-KAH-toh vak-chee-NAH-leh dee MEE-oh FEE-lyohI would like to have my child’s vaccination certificate checked.
  • Queste vaccinazioni sono state fatte all’estero.KWEH-steh vak-chee-nah-TSYOH-nee SOH-noh STAH-teh FAT-teh al-LES-teh-rohThese vaccinations were given abroad.
  • Manca qualche dose?MAN-kah KWAL-keh DOH-zehAre any doses missing?

Frequently asked questions about vaccinations in Italy

Should I restart my child’s vaccinations after moving to Italy?

Do not restart the course yourself. The vaccination service assesses the documented doses, the child’s age and the intervals between vaccinations, then determines which doses still need to be given.

Where should I present a foreign vaccination certificate for a child in Italy?

Contact the children’s vaccination service at your local health authority. Ask in advance which form of foreign certificate it accepts and whether the entries need to be translated.

How do I call an ambulance in Italy for a severe reaction after vaccination?

Call 112 or 118 and give the address, the child’s age, the time of vaccination and the symptoms.

Official sources

Sources and contact details for the Rimini clinic checked on 23 August 2026. A healthcare professional determines the vaccination schedule from the child’s age and documented doses.

Need an interpreter at the appointment?

Contact me to ask about interpreting availability. I can help explain entries in a foreign certificate and interpret the conversation with the vaccination specialist, so you can establish which doses have been accepted and when the next vaccinations are due.

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