Vaccines for children
Some infectious diseases can cause death or lasting damage to a child’s health. Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases. Vaccines stimulate the body to produce antibodies that fight infection. Immunisation is also known as 'vaccination', 'jab' or 'injection'.
Why childhood immunisation is important
Immunisation prepares the body to fight serious infections that might happen in the future.
Young babies are very vulnerable to infections, so they need to be protected as early as possible.
Your child needs several different vaccines to be fully protected, so it’s important to complete their childhood immunisation programme.
What can happen when a child isn’t immunised
Due to vaccinations in Northern Ireland, many serious childhood infectious diseases have disappeared altogether, like diphtheria, polio or tetanus.
However, whilst the number of people with diseases such as measles and whooping cough have reduced, cases still exist in Northern Ireland due to lower vaccination uptake.
Domestic and international travel increases the risk of infectious diseases being brought to Northern Ireland, particularly when returning from countries where such diseases are common, or it is harder to receive vaccinations.
It is important that children in Northern Ireland continue to receive these vaccines to avoid these serious infectious diseases.
If your child is not vaccinated, they will be at risk of these infections, their complications and even death.
If you think your child has not received all the vaccines offered for their age group, speak to your GP, health visitor or school nurse.
Vaccinations available
Six-in-one vaccine
The six-in-one vaccine, also known as DTaP/IPV/Hib/Hep B vaccine, protects babies against six serious illnesses:
- diphtheria
- tetanus
- pertussis (whooping cough)
- polio (inactivated polio vaccine)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b ( Hib)
- hepatitis B
Side effects of six-in-one vaccine
After vaccination, some babies experience mild side effects including:
- feeling irritable
- a mild fever
- a small lump for a few weeks where they had the injection
If your baby shows any other reaction to the vaccine, tell the doctor, practice nurse or health visitor.
Rotavirus vaccine
The rotavirus vaccine helps protect against rotavirus, a common cause of diarrhoea and vomiting.
It is given as a liquid into their mouth.
Side effects of the rotavirus vaccine
After vaccination, some babies might be restless, irritable or have diarrhoea.
In very rare cases, the vaccine affects a baby’s gut, where the bowel becomes blocked (intussusception).
Your baby might:
- have stomach swelling
- vomit
- pass blood
- show signs of dehydration
- have a temperature
If your baby has this reaction, they may pull their knees up to their chest in pain.
Contact your doctor immediately if your baby has these signs or symptoms.
Meningococcal B vaccine (MenB)
The MenB vaccine helps protect against meningococcal group B bacteria that can cause serious illnesses, including meningitis and sepsis.
The vaccine is given as an injection.
Side effects of the MenB vaccine
After vaccination, some babies:
- have redness, swelling or tenderness where they had the injection
- are irritable
- feed poorly
- have a fever
To prevent your baby having a temperature after MenB vaccination, give them infant paracetamol.
Even if your baby shows no signs of fever, give them a dose of paracetamol:
- after being vaccinated
- a second dose four to six hours later
- a third dose four to six hours after that
Make sure to leave at least four hours between each dose and do not give more than four doses in 24 hours.
If your baby has a very high fever or you think they are unwell, contact your GP.
Pneumococcal vaccine
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against:
- a common cause of meningitis or blood poisoning (septicaemia)
- severe ear infections
- pneumonia caused by very common types of pneumococcal bacteria
Side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine
After vaccination, one or two babies in every 10 experience side effects, including:
- swelling, redness or tenderness where they had the injection
- a mild fever
- feeling tired
- loss of appetite
Very rarely, babies can have an allergic reaction to the vaccine.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a bacterium that can cause a number of serious illnesses, including meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia, particularly in young children.
It is much rarer than it once was, as it is now vaccinated against as part of the childhood immunisation programme in Northern Ireland.
Babies have three separate doses of Hib vaccine as part of the six-in-one vaccine at:
- eight weeks
- 12 weeks
- 16 weeks
A booster dose is required from one year of age to provide longer-term protection.
The Hib/MenC vaccine protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningococcal group C.
Children who were born on or before 30 June 2024 will be offered this booster at 12 months of age, as either the Hib/ MenC vaccine or a fourth dose of the six-in-one vaccine.
Children who are born on or after 1 July 2024 will be offered this booster at 18 months of age, as a fourth dose of the six-in-one vaccine.
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine
The MMR vaccine gives long-term protection against:
There were confirmed cases of measles in Northern in 2024 and 2025. It is important to get your vaccines and make sure they are up to date.
From 1 January 2026, the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine will be brought forward to a new appointment at 18 months, which will help protect your child earlier.
Whether your child is affected by the changes will depend on their date of birth.
Side effects of the MMR vaccine
Your child may have redness and swelling in their arm where the injection was given. MMR has three vaccines in one injection. The vaccines work at different times and can cause side effects.
Side effects of the measles part of the vaccine
About a week to 10 days after MMR vaccination, when the measles part of the vaccine starts to work, some children might become feverish, lose their appetite and develop a measles-like rash.
This may last about one to two days.
Side effects of the rubella part of the vaccine
About two weeks after vaccination, when the rubella part of the vaccine starts to work, your child might get a rash of small bruise-like spots.
This is a rare side effect. If you see this rash, tell your doctor.
The rash usually heals without treatment.
Side effects of the mumps part of the vaccine
About three weeks after vaccination, when the mumps part of the vaccine starts to work, your child might get a mild form of mumps.
This is a rare side effect and will heal without treatment.
Rare reactions to the MMR vaccine
Febrile fits
On rare occasions, one in 1000 children may have a fit due to a high temperature caused by the MMR vaccine.
Children that get measles disease are more likely to have a fit from a high temperature than after the MMR vaccine.
Encephalitis
In extremely rare occasions, the MMR vaccine may cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
HPV vaccine
The HPV vaccine helps protect against human papillomavirus (HPV).
It's offered to children aged 12 to 13 years old to help protect them against HPV-related cancers.
It is linked to cervical, anal, penile, vulval, vaginal and some types of head and neck cancer.
Side effects of the HPV vaccine
The side effects of the vaccination are quite mild – usually just soreness, swelling and redness in the arm, which soon wears off.
Other less common side effects may include:
These can be treated with paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Rarely, some people have a reaction soon after the injection, like a rash. The nurse will know how to treat this.
It is not a reason not to have more injections for HPV or other diseases.
Severe allergic reactions are rare and nurses are trained to deal with them. People recover completely with treatment, usually within a few hours.
As with all vaccines, reports of side effects are closely monitored and reviewed.
For more information see:
- Immunisations for teenagers between 14 and 18 years old
- HPV vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 13 years old
Three-in-one teenage booster (tetanus, diptheria and polio)
The Td/ IPV vaccine (also called the three-in-one teenage booster) is offered to 14 to 18 year olds and helps protect against:
- tetanus
- diphtheria
- polio
Side effects of the Td/ IPV vaccine
On your arm where you get the injection, you might have:
- swelling and redness
- a small, painless lump that usually disappears in a few weeks
On rare occasions, people may experience more serious side effects including:
- fever
- headache
- dizziness
- feeling sick
- swollen glands
MenACWY vaccine
Meningococcal disease is caused by meningococcal bacteria.
There is a vaccination programme to protect older teenagers and young adults against meningococcal infection.
For more information see:
Side effects of the Men ACWY vaccine
Most side effects are mild and may include:
- a reaction at the injection site including pain/ swelling
- headache
- nausea
- a rash
- feeling drowsy
- feeling irritable
- loss of appetite
More serious side effects including severe allergic reactions are extremely rare.
Other vaccines for children at higher risk
Some babies in high-risk groups get a BCG vaccine for protection against tuberculosis (TB) when they are born.
Higher risk infants might also get extra vaccinations against hepatitis B.
Your doctor or health visitor will give you more information if your child needs protection.
How vaccines are given
Most vaccines are given to your baby or child as an injection.
They get each rotavirus vaccine by the mouth.
Most children will get the flu vaccine by nose unless it is not safe to.