Childhood immunisation programme

Changes to the childhood immunisation programme

The childhood vaccination schedule changed on 1 July 2025. 

There will be further changes from 1 January 2026.

What vaccines your child will receive and when will depend on:

• the vaccines they have already received
• when they were born

Changes to vaccines from 12 months of age

If your child was born on or after 1 July 2024, they will be invited for vaccines under the new schedule.

The updated routine immunisation schedule is as follows:

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)

• MenB vaccine (second dose)

Sixteen weeks old

• six-in-one vaccine (third dose)

• pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) (first dose)

One year old - born on or after 1 July 2024

• MMR vaccine (first dose)

• Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) (second dose)

• MenB vaccine (third dose)

One year old - born on or before 30 June 2024

• MMR vaccine (first dose)
• Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) (second dose)
• *Hib/ MenC/ six-in-one vaccine
• MenB vaccine (third dose)

*If they have 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.

New eighteen-month appointment (from 1 January 2026) - born on or after 1 July 2024

• six-in-one vaccine (fourth dose)

• MMR vaccine (second dose)

Children born on or before 30 June 2024 will not be offered an 18-month appointment.

Two years to fifteen years of age

• flu vaccine (annually until Year 12)

Three years and four months old - born on or after 1 July 2024

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

Three years and four months old - born on or after 1 July 2024

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

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.

If they miss any of the vaccines they were invited to, speak to your GP or health visitor. They will advise what vaccination your child should get and when.

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 can 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.

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.