Vaccinations

Protect your child against serious diseases by

making sure they are up to date with all the vaccinations they need. Vaccines save lives and prevent serious illness and disability.

It’s never too late to have your child immunised. Even if your child has missed an immunisation and is older than the recommended ages, talk to your doctor, practice nurse or health visitor to arrange for your child to be immunised.

 

There has been an increase in the number of reported cases of measles this year. Read more 

For a quick guide to childhood immunisations visit www.immunisation.nhs.uk Your health visitor can also provide you with detailed information and leaflets, or alternaitvely you can download the NHS A quick guide to childhood immunisations by clicking here

Further information
Routine immunisations start when a child is 2 months old. Further vaccinations are given at 3 and 4 months old, and just after your child’s first birthday. Booster vaccinations are given before your child starts school. Your child should be invited for their pre-school booster when they are 3 years and 4 months old or soon afterwards.

It is important to stick to the immunisation schedule, as a delay can leave your child unprotected. If you miss a vaccination appointment, you do not have to start the course of vaccines again. Just make a new appointment as soon as you can. You do not have to delay immunisation due to your child having a minor infection without a fever such as a cough or cold.

It is important that premature babies (babies born early) are also vaccinated according to their age as they tend to be greater risk of infection than babies born on time. 

Children should also receive a booster before they leave school, when they are between 13 and 18 years old. Girls aged 12 to 13 years receive a vaccine to protect against cervical cancer.

In addition to these routine vaccines, some babies and children are given other vaccines. BCG vaccine is given at birth to babies who are more likely to come in contact with TB than the general population. A course of hepatitis B vaccine is started at birth for babies whose mothers have hepatitis B.

If your child is going abroad, make sure their routine immunisations are up to date. Your child may also need extra immunisations. Contact your doctor’s surgery or a travel clinic well in advance for up to date information on the immunisations your child may need.