Childhood Vaccinations
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine
The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. Two doses provide the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella for life.
These viruses spread easily between unvaccinated people. They can cause very serious illnesses that are not treatable with medication. They can also lead to serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy. Parents or guardians of children who are not up to date with their two doses of the MMR vaccine should contact their GP practice to book an appointment.
When children should have the MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine is given to babies and young children as part of the NHS vaccination schedule:
| Child’s age | Vaccine |
|---|---|
1 year | MMR (1st dose) |
3 years and 4 months | MMR (2nd dose) |
For more information about the MMR vaccine visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine/.
The whooping cough vaccine
Whooping cough (pertussis) rates have risen sharply in recent years and babies who are too young to start their vaccinations are at greatest risk.
Young babies with whooping cough are often very unwell and most will be admitted to hospital because of their illness. When whooping cough is particularly severe, they can die.
Pregnant women can help protect their babies by getting vaccinated – ideally from 16 weeks up to 32 weeks pregnant. If for any reason you miss having the vaccine, you can still have it up until you go into labour.
Getting vaccinated while you’re pregnant is highly effective in protecting your baby from developing whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life.
The immunity you get from the vaccine will pass to your baby through the placenta and provide passive protection for them until they are old enough to be routinely vaccinated against whooping cough at 8 weeks old.
The whooping cough vaccine protects babies and children from getting whooping cough. That’s why it’s important to have all the routine NHS vaccinations.
The whooping cough vaccine is routinely given as part of the:
- 6-in-1 vaccine – for babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks
- 4-in-1 pre-school booster – for children aged 3 years 4 months
Find out more about the whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy
Flu vaccine for children
The children’s nasal spray flu vaccine is safe and effective. It’s offered every year to children to help protect them against flu.
Flu is caused by the influenza virus. It can be a very unpleasant illness for children. It can also lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Children can catch and spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable to flu, such as babies and older people.
Click here to find out more about the children’s flu vaccine.
Covid-19 vaccine for children
Covid-19 is a very infectious disease that can cause serious illness for children who have an underlying health condition. If your child is vulnerable, they will be offered a COVID-19 vaccination seasonally. Your child’s GP or consultant will let you know if your child needs a seasonal Covid-19 vaccination.
MenACWY vaccine
The MenACWY vaccine is given by a single injection into the upper arm and protects against 4 strains of the meningococcal bacteria – A, C, W and Y – which cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia).
students going to university for the first time should make sure they’ve had the MenACWY vaccine to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, which can be deadly.
The MenACWY vaccine is also routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10.
Click here for more information on the MenACWY vaccine.
HPV vaccine
The HPV vaccine reduces your chances of getting human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that’s spread through skin contact (usually when having sex).
Most types of HPV are harmless. But some types are linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, including cervical cancer, mouth cancer, anal cancer and penile cancer. HPV can also cause genital warts.
Click here for more information on the HPV vaccine.
Other Childhood Vaccinations
The 6-in-1 vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses like polio and whooping cough. It’s given to babies when they’re 8, 12 and 16 weeks old. Click here to find out more about the 6-in-1 vaccine.
The Rotavirus vaccine against rotavirus infection is given to babies as part of their routine childhood vaccinations. Rotavirus is a highly infectious stomach bug that typically affects babies and young children, causing diarrhoea and vomiting, tummy ache and a high temperature.
The vaccine is given as 2 doses, 4 weeks apart. Usually the first dose is given at 8 weeks, and the second dose at 12 weeks.
The vaccine is given as a liquid straight into the baby’s mouth for them to swallow.
The MenB vaccine will protect your baby against infection by meningococcal group B bacteria.
Meningococcal infections can be very serious, causing meningitis and sepsis. This can lead to severe brain damage, amputations and, sometimes, death.
The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses like pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis. It’s recommended for people at higher risk of these illnesses, such as babies and adults aged 65 and over.
Click here for more information on the pneumococcal vaccine.
The Hib/MenC vaccine is a single injection given to 1-year-old babies to boost their protection against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningitis C.
Hib and meningitis C infections are serious and potentially fatal. They can both cause meningitis and blood poisoning (sepsis).
The 4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine is offered to children from the age of 3 years and 4 months to boost their protection against 4 different serious conditions, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio.
Click here for more information on the 4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine.
The teenage booster, also known as the 3-in-1 or the Td/IPV vaccine, is given to boost protection against 3 separate diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and polio.
It’s routinely given at secondary school (in school year 9) at the same time as the MenACWY vaccine.
Click here to find out more about the 3-in-1 teenage booster.
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