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Immunisation
Information for Parents / Children and young people
‘The two public health interventions that have had the greatest impact on the world’s health are clean water and vaccines’
World Health Organization
What is immunisation and why is it needed?
Immunisation is a way of protecting ourselves from serious diseases. There are some diseases that can kill children or cause lasting damage to their health. Immunisations are given to prepare your child’s immune system (its natural defence system) to fight off those diseases when your child comes into contact with them.
When should my baby be immunised?
It is important that your baby has their immunisations at the right age. This will help to keep the risk of your child catching a serious disease as low as possible. The risk of side effects from some vaccines may increase if you put them off.
What happens at the appointment?
The doctor or nurse will explain the immunisation process to you, and answer any questions you have. The vaccine is injected into the muscle of the thigh.
Contact your GP practice to arrange an appointment to discuss/arrange immunisations.
Routine childhood immunisations schedule from Spring 2010
| When to immunise | Diseases protected against | Vaccine given |
|---|---|---|
| Two months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) | DTaP/IPV/Hib (Pediacel) |
| Pneumococcal infection PCV | (Prevenar 13) | |
| Three months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) | DTaP/IPV/Hib (Pediacel) |
| Meningitis C | MenC (Menjugate or Neisvac C) | |
| Four months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) | DTaP/IPV/Hib (Pediacel) |
| Meningitis C | MenC (Menjugate or Neisvac C) | |
| Pneumococcal infection | PCV (Prevenar 13) | |
| Around 12 months old | Hib/MenC | Hib/MenC (Menitorix) |
| Measles, mumps and rubella | MMR (Priorix or MMR VaxPRO) | |
| Pneumococcal infection | PCV (Prevenar 13) | |
| Three years four months to five years old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio | dTaP/IPV (Repevax) or DTaP/IPV (Infanrix-IPV) |
| Measles, mumps and rubella | MMR (Priorix or MMR VaxPRO) | |
| Girls aged 12 to 13 years | Cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 | Cervarix |
| Thirteen to 18 years old | Tetanus, diphtheria and polio | Td/IPV (Revaxis) |
Detailed information about childhood immunisations is available on NHS Choices.
Find out more
For the most comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate source of information on vaccines, disease and immunisation in the UK visit NHS Choices.
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