Childhood vaccines
The single most important thing you can do to protect your children is to have them vaccinated.
Find out all you need to know about vaccines, how they are tested and safe and where and how you can get them using this website.
The vaccination programme starts during pregnancy with the whooping cough and seasonal flu vaccine. Babies have their first vaccines at 8 weeks old with further vaccines given until 15 years old.
Babies 1-year-old and under
8 weeks
Protecting against diphtheria, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), polio, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), rotavirus and meningococcal group B.
12 weeks
Protecting against diphtheria, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), polio, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), rotavirus and pneumococcal infections.
16 weeks
Protecting against diphtheria, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), polio, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) and meningococcal group B.
1 year
Protecting against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), meningitis C, measles, mumps and rubella, pneumococcal infections and meningococcal group B.
These vaccinations are normally given by your GP – they will contact you to book an appointment.
Preschool children
3 years
4 months
Protecting against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio.
These vaccinations are normally given by your GP – they will contact you to book an appointment around the time they are due.
Teenagers
12 to
13 years
Protecting against cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HVP) including cervical cancer, some mouth and throat cancers and genital warts.
14 years
Protecting against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and four strains of meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W and Y).
These vaccinations are normally given in school by the local schools’ vaccine provider – who will send out consent forms through your child’s school. Children who are home educated will also be offered the vaccines.
Visit the seasonal vaccine page for information on children’s flu and COVID vaccines
It is never too late to get vaccinated.
If you think you, or one of your children, have missed a vaccination check the red book or contact your GP practice using their online services. You will be able to schedule a catch-up vaccination if needed.