Child Immunisations

 

BACK TO MAIN INDEX

 

Childhood Immunisations

If a vaccine is given when a baby still has antibodies to the disease from its mother, the antibodies can stop the vaccine working. This is why routine childhood immunisations do not start until a baby is two months old. It is important for parents to stick to the immunisation schedule, as a delay can leave a baby unprotected. A delay can increase the chance of adverse reactions to some vaccines, such as pertussis (whooping cough).

image of child being immunised

 

Vaccination Schedule

 

At two months old (8 weeks): 

  • Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib), hepatitis B - one injection 
  • Meningitis B - one injection
  • Rotavirus - oral
 

At three months old (12 weeks):

  • Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and hepatitis B - one injection 
  • Pneumococcal infection - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - one injection 
  • Rotavirus - oral
 

At four months old (16 weeks): 

  • Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and hepatitis B - one injection 
  • Meningitis B - one injection 
 

At 12 months old (on or after child's first birthday): 

  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningitis C (Hib/MenC) - booster dose in one injection
  • Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) - one injection 
  • Pneumococcal infection - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - one injection 
  • Meningitis B - one injection
 

At three years four months (pre-school): 

  • Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio (dTaP/IPV or DTaP/IPV) - one injection
  • Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) - one injection 
 

At 14 years old (given at school):

  • Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (Td/IPV) - one injection
  • Meningitis ACWY - one injection
 

Further reading

There are some excellent websites that will answer all your questions and queries about immunisation and vaccination. If you are worried about giving the MMR vaccine, you should access the MMR site.

NHS Vaccinations
Find out about vaccinations for babies, children and adults, including why they're important and how to get them. 

NHS MMR
Measles, mumps, and rubella spread easily between people and can lead to serious problems.  Find out more about the MMR vaccine and who should have it.