Child Health 0 – 5 Years
Children’s Immunisation Schedule
Here’s a checklist of the vaccines that are routinely offered to everyone in the UK for free on the NHS, and the age at which you should ideally have them.
Routine childhood immunisations
When to immunise |
Diseases protected against |
Vaccine given |
Site** |
| Two months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) | DTaP/IPV/Hib (Pediacel) | Thigh |
| Pneumococcal disease | PCV (Prevenar 13) | Thigh | |
| Rotavirus | Rotavirus (Rotarix) | By mouth | |
| Meningococcal group B | MenB (Bexsero) | Left thigh | |
| Three months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib | DTaP/IPV/Hib (Pediacel) | Thigh |
| Meningococcal group C disease (MenC) | Men C (NeisVac-C or Menjugate) | Thigh | |
| Rotavirus | Rotavirus (Rotarix) | By mouth | |
| Four months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib | DTaP/IPV/Hib (Pediacel) | Thigh |
| Pneumococcal disease | PCV (Prevenar 13) | Thigh | |
| Meningococcal group B | MenB (Bexsero) | Left thigh | |
| Between 12 and 13 months old – within a month of the first birthday | Hib/MenC | Hib/MenC (Menitorix) | Upper arm/thigh |
| Pneumococcal disease | PCV (Prevenar 13) | Upper arm/thigh | |
| Measles, mumpsand rubella (German measles) | MMR(Priorix or MMR VaxPRO) | Upper arm/thigh | |
| Meningococcal group B | MenB booster (Bexsero) | Left thigh | |
| Three years four months old or soon after | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio | dTaP/IPV (Repevax) or DTaP/IPV(Infanrix-IPV) | Upper arm |
| Measles, mumpsand rubella | MMR (Priorix or MMR VaxPRO)(check first dose has been given) | Upper arm |
Please note
** Where two or more injections are required at once, these should ideally be given in different limbs. Where this is not possible, injections in the same limb should be given 2.5cm apart.
Flu vaccination
Children aged between 2 and 6 years old (including school years 1 and 2) are offered the Fluenz-Tetra live influenza vaccine which is given each year via both nostrils. Our flu clinics run from the end of September each year and will be advertised nearer the time.
Immunisations for at-risk children
When to immunise |
Diseases protected against |
Vaccine given |
Site |
| At birth, 1 month old, 2 months old and 12 months old |
Hepatitis B | Hep B | Thigh |
| At birth | Tuberculosis | BCG | Upper arm (intradermal) |
Child Health 6 to 15 Years
Routine childhood immunisations
| Girls aged 12 to 13 years old | Cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 (and genital warts caused by types 6 and 11) |
HPV (Gardasil) | Upper arm |
| Around 14 years old | Tetanus, diphtheria and polio | Td/IPV (Revaxis), and check MMR status | Upper arm |
| Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y disease | MenACWY (Nimenrix/Menveo) | Upper arm |
Please note
** Where two or more injections are required at once, these should ideally be given in different limbs. Where this is not possible, injections in the same limb should be given 2.5cm apart.
The Meningitis C vaccination will be introduced during the 2013/14 academic year and the vaccine supplied will depend on the brands available at the time of ordering
Looking after a sick child
If your child is ill, the most important thing to do is to listen to them.
If they say they don’t need to be in bed, they probably don’t. They might feel better on the sofa with a blanket or duvet.
Whether they’re in bed or on the sofa, the following will help them feel more comfortable.
- Keep the room airy without being draughty. If the room is too warm, they’ll probably feel worse.
- Give your child plenty to drink. For the first day or so don’t bother about food unless they want it. After that, start trying to tempt them with bits of food and encouraging them to have nutritious drinks like milk.
- Try to give your child time for quiet games, stories, company and comfort.
- Sick children get very tired and need plenty of rest. Encourage your child to doze off when they need to, perhaps with a story read by you or on a mobile device or CD.
- Never fall asleep with a sick baby on the sofa with you, even if you’re both exhausted. This increases the chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Looking after a sick child, even for a couple of days, can be exhausting.
Get rest and sleep when you can, and try to get somebody else to take over every now and then to give you a break.
High Temperature (fever)
A high temperature (fever) is very common in young children. The temperature usually returns to normal within 1 to 4 days.
Learn more >Head Lice
Head lice and nits are very common among young children and their families, and are spread through head-to-head contact rather than poor hygiene. They can cause an itchy scalp, but the only way to confirm their presence is by finding live lice. This can be done by using a special fine-toothed detection comb, which is available to buy online or at pharmacies.
Learn more >Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds are usually not a cause for concern. They are common, especially in children, and can typically be managed easily at home.
Learn more > St John’s Ambulance GuidePage updated: 15th April 2025
Page created: 25th November 2015