Vaccines are one of the safest and most effective ways to protect children from serious diseases. By keeping up to date with the recommended schedule, you give your child the best chance to stay healthy.
Why Vaccinations Matter
Vaccination is the most important way we can protect ourselves and our children against illness. Vaccinations prevent millions of deaths worldwide each year.
Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like Polio, Tetanus and Smallpox are either now gone or seen very rarely. Before vaccinations were used, these illnesses could kill or make people seriously ill.
- Vaccinations prevent serious illness and protect against infections such as measles, whooping cough, polio, and meningitis, which can lead to life-threatening complications.
- When enough people are vaccinated, diseases are far less likely to spread. They protect vulnerable people like new-born babies, and those with weakened immune systems.
- Vaccination programmes across the world have eliminated some diseases and dramatically reduced the number of cases of others.
Routine Childhood Immunisation Schedule
Your child will be offered vaccines from birth through their teenage years in the following schedule:
| Age | Diseases Protected Against | Vaccine(s) Given | Administration Site** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eight weeks old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B | DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB | Thigh |
| Rotavirus Gastroenteritis | Rotavirus (Rotarix) | By mouth | |
| Meningococcal group B | MenB (Bexsero) | Thigh | |
| Twelve weeks old |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) & Hepatitis B | DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB (6 in 1 vaccine) | Thigh |
| Rotavirus | Rotavirus (Rotarix) | By mouth | |
| MenB | MenB | Thigh | |
| Sixteen weeks old | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) & Hepatitis B | DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB (6 in 1 vaccine) | Thigh |
| Pneumococcal disease | PCV | Thigh | |
| One year old (on or after the child’s first birthday) |
Born before 1st July 2024
Pneumococcal Measles, mumps, rubella MenB Hib/MenC (if Hib/MenC exhausted give DTaP/Hib/IPV/HepB) |
PCV
MMR MenB Hib/MenC |
Upper arm or thigh |
| Born on or after 1st July 2024
Pneumococcal Measles, mumps, rubella MenB |
PCV
MMR MenB Hib/MenC |
Upper arm or thigh | |
| Eighteen months old |
Born before 1st July 2024
No appointment |
||
| Born on or after 1st July 2024
DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB Measles, mumps, rubella |
DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB
MMR |
Upper arm or thigh | |
| 3 years 4 months (or soon after) |
Born before 1st July 2024
Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio Measles, mumps, rubella |
dTaP/IPV
MMR |
Upper arm |
| Born on or after 1st July 2024
Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio |
dTaP/IPV | Upper arm | |
| Boys and Girls aged 12–13 years | Cancers and genital warts caused by specific human papillomavirus (HPV) types | HPV | Upper arm |
| 14 years | Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio | Td/IPV (Revaxis) | Upper arm |
| Meningococcal groups A, C, W, Y | MenACWY (MenQuadfi) | Upper arm |
Vaccine schedule updated July 2025.
Vaccine Safety
All vaccines are rigorously tested before they are given approval to make sure they will not harm you or your child.
It often takes many years for vaccines to make it through the trials and tests it needs to pass for approval.
If you have concerns over the safety of vaccines, please talk to your GP, Nurse or Health Visitor and they will explain how vaccines work and answer any questions you may have.
Be Aware of Anti-Vaccine Stories
Anti-vaccine stories often spread through online channels, such as social media, or in person.
We recommend seeking vaccine and health information from trusted sources, which include the NHS or World Health Organisation (WHO).
Vaccine information on social media may not be based on accurate, scientific evidence and it could put your child at risk of a serious illness.
All the current evidence tells us that getting vaccinated is safer than not getting vaccinated.
How to Book Vaccinations
Your GP practice will contact you when your child is due for a routine vaccination. This could be a letter, text, phone call or email.
If you know your child is due for a vaccination, please contact your GP practice to book the appointment. You do not need to wait to hear from them.
If you think your child has missed any vaccinations, please contact your GP practice.
Don’t forget to register your child with a GP so reminders reach you on time.
Contact Us
If you need a vaccine, or one was missed from your schedule, please contact our reception team.
Useful Links
For more information about childhood vaccinations, please visit:
- Vaccinations (Mount Pleasant Health Centre): https://www.mountpleasanthealthcentre.co.uk/your-health/vaccinations/
- Vaccine Knowledge: https://vaccineknowledge.ox.ac.uk/
NHS Website
For further details about Childhood Vaccinations, please visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/
Resources & Downloads
For more information about childhood vaccinations, please visit:
-
- What to expect after vaccinations – Download
- A guide to immunisation up to 13 months of age – Download
- A guide to vaccinations for pre-school – Download
- A guide to vaccinations for children aged 18 months – Download
- A guide to immunisation for teenagers and young people – Download
- Routine childhood immunisations – Download
Vaccinating your child is one of the simplest, most effective steps you can take to safeguard their health.
Page Created: 20th July 2025
Page Updated: 19th September 2025