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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Health and wellbeing
    3. Living well
    4. Immunisation and vaccinations
    5. Childhood immunisation

    Childhood immunisation programme

    The immunisation programme gives vaccines to babies and children at different ages. Routine immunisation for babies begins when they are two months old. Your child needs several vaccines to protect them from infections, so it’s important to complete their immunisation programme.

    Changes to the childhood immunisation programme

    There are changes to the childhood vaccination schedule from the 1 July 2025. There will be further changes from 1January 2026.

    The changes to the childhood vaccination schedule may impact your child depending on which vaccines they are due and when they were born.

    Children who have not yet received their 12-week vaccinations by 1 July 2025, will be invited under the new schedule. 

    This includes children who attend late for their 12-week vaccinations.

    Changes to vaccines from 12 months of age

    The new schedule will impact your child if they were born on or after 1 July 2024. 

    Which vaccines your child receives will depend on which vaccines they have had to date.

    The new schedule is as follows:

    Eight weeks old

    • six-in-one vaccine (first dose)
    • rotavirus vaccine (first dose)

    • MenB vaccine (first dose)

    Twelve weeks old (new schedule)

    • six-in-one vaccine (second dose)

    • rotavirus vaccine (second dose)

    • MenB vaccine (second dose)

    Sixteen weeks old (new schedule)

    • six-in-one vaccine (third dose)

    • pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) (first dose)

    One year old (new schedule)

    • MMR vaccine (first dose)

    • Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) (second dose)

    • MenB vaccine (third dose)

    New eighteen-month appointment (from 1 January 2026)

    • six-in-one vaccine (fourth dose)

    • MMR (second dose)

    Two years to fifteen years of age

    • flu vaccine (annually until Year 12)

    Three years and four months old 

    • four-in-one vaccine - diptheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio

    Twelve to thirteen years old

    • HPV vaccine

    Fourteen years old to young adults

    • three-in-one teenage vaccine – diphtheria, tetanus, polio

    • Meningococcal MenACWY vaccine

    Speak to your child’s health visitor or GP if you have any questions about changes to the schedule. 

    It is important to bring your child for vaccination at the time they are invited to help keep them healthy and protect them from serious diseases.

    Children born on or before 30 June 2024

    If your child was born on or before 30 June 2024, they will remain on the vaccination schedule below.

    If they missed any of the vaccinations they were invited to, speak to your GP or health visitor for advice.

    Eight weeks old 

    • six-in-one vaccine (first dose)

    • rotavirus vaccine (first dose)

    • MenB vaccine (first dose)

    Twelve weeks old 

    • six-in-one vaccine (second dose)

    • rotavirus vaccine (second dose)

    • pneumococcal vaccine PCV (first dose)

    Sixteen weeks old 

    • six-in-one vaccine (third dose)

    • MenB vaccine (second dose)

    One year old 

    • MMR vaccine (first dose)

    • Pneumococcal vaccine PCV (second dose)

    • *Hib/MenC / six-in-one vaccine

    • MenB vaccine (third dose)

    *If your child was born on or before 30 June 2024 and has not yet had their injections for one year olds, they may be offered either the Hib/ MenC vaccine or a fourth dose of the six-in-one vaccine to protect against Hib.

    Two to fifteen years old

    • flu vaccine (annually until Year 12)

    Three years and four months old 

    • four-in-one vaccine - diptheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio

    • MMR (second dose)

    Twelve to thirteen years old

    • HPV vaccine

    Fourteen years old to young adults

    • three-in-one teenage vaccine – diphtheria, tetanus, polio

    • Meningococcal MenACWY vaccine

    If you have any questions about the vaccination schedule, speak to your child’s health visitor or GP. 

    It is important to bring your child for vaccination at the time they are invited to help keep them healthy and protect them from serious diseases.

    When and where your child will get vaccines

    The Child Health system or your doctor’s surgery usually sends out your invitation to make vaccination appointments. 

    Your child can get some vaccinations in school. The school will contact you before they give your child a vaccine.

    It is important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but if your child missed a vaccination, contact your GP to catch up.

    You will continue to be called for all your child’s scheduled vaccination appointments when they are due.

    Remember, vaccinations are safe, effective and can save lives.

    Premature babies

    Premature babies may be at greater risk of infection. 

    They should be vaccinated according to the recommended schedule from eight weeks after birth, no matter how premature.

    Giving paracetamol to a premature baby

    If your baby isn’t in hospital, it’s important to have infant paracetamol at home before they have their MenB vaccine, as it can cause a fever.

    If your baby was born before 32 weeks’ gestation, your doctor cab advise what the right dose of paracetamol is for your baby’s weight.

    Allergic reactions to a vaccine

    On rare occasions, babies may experience an allergic reaction to a vaccine, which can cause:

    • a rash or itching
    • difficulty breathing or collapse, also known as anaphylaxis

    Anaphylaxis

    Anaphylaxis can happen within minutes of a baby getting vaccinated.

    This reaction means your baby is allergic to an ingredient in a vaccine.

    It’s a worrying and rare side effect that can be treated to allow a quick and full recovery.

    Before your baby has further vaccines, you must tell the doctor or nurse about any previous allergic reaction.

    When a baby has a fit after vaccination

    Having a fit is a rare side effect of the vaccine. A baby can have a fit due to a very high temperature.

    Yellow Card Scheme

    A parent or carer can use the Yellow Card Scheme to report side effects of vaccines and medicines.

    Why your baby might not get a vaccine

    There are some reasons why immunisation might not be right for your baby.

    It’s important to tell your GP or nurse about any illnesses or allergies your baby has had.

    Before vaccination, the doctor or nurse needs to know if your baby:

    • has a very high temperature, vomiting or diarrhoea on the day of the appointment
    • has had convulsions or fits
    • had a bad reaction to a previous immunisation
    • is allergic to anything
    • has a bleeding disorder
    • has had treatment for cancer
    • has an illness that affects the immune system, for example leukaemia, HIV or AIDS
    • takes medicine that affects the immune system, for example high dose steroids or treatments given after organ transplant or for cancers
    • has any other serious illness

    Knowing about your baby’s health helps the doctor or nurse choose the best immunisations.

    A family history of illness doesn’t mean your baby can't have a vaccination.

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    Childhood immunisation

    • BCG vaccination for babies
    • Childhood immunisation programme
    • HPV vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 13 years old
    • Immunisation for teenagers between 14 and 18 years old
    • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
    • MenACWY vaccination for teenagers and students
    • Vaccines for children

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