Vaccines for children

Why does my baby or child need immunisations?

"The two public health interventions that have had the greatest impact on the world’s health are clean water and vaccines." (World Health Organisation)

Immunisations protect children from many serious illnesses.

To make sure that your baby or child is properly protected it is important that they get their immunisations on time where possible.

Health experts strongly advise that you make and keep your children’s immunisation appointments as planned.

Vaccinations are recommended for children at different points in their development from newborns and infants to school leavers. Please see the links below to the vaccination schedule.

Newborns and infants

Vaccinations for newborns and children under 5 years old are usually given at your GP surgery by the Practice Nurse. These vaccinations will protect your child from a range of childhood diseases including Polio, Diptheria, Tetanus, Whooping cough, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenza (given as one single vaccination at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks) and Rotavirus.

Other vaccinations to protect against Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) at 1 year old and 3 years and 4 months; and against meningitis, pneumonia and Influenza (flu) are also given to babies and young children.

It is important that children have the full course of vaccinations available to them to ensure they are fully protected against these infections.

• Vaccinations for children - Start for Life

School age children

School age children are offered vaccinations to protect them from Influenza (flu) and the HPV virus (that is linked to development of uterine cancer) as well as booster vaccinations to improve their immunity to Polio, Tetanus and Meningitis. These vaccines are usually given in school by the local School Nursing or School Immunisation team.

A complete list of vaccinations for children including information in 32 languages can be found through the links below.

• Childhood Vaccinations - Essential information: Healthier Together
• Complete routine immunisation schedule from 1 September 2024