Child Immunisations

If a vaccine is given when a baby still has antibodies to the disease, the antibodies can stop the vaccine working. This is why routine childhood immunisations do not start until a baby is two months old, before the antibodies a baby gets from its mother have stopped working. This is also why it is important for parents to stick to the immunisation schedule, as a delay can leave a baby unprotected. A delay can increase the chance of adverse reactions to some vaccines, such as pertussis (whooping cough).

child immunisations

 

Vaccination Schedule

At two months old: 

  • Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) - one injection 
  • Pneumococcal infection - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - one injection 
 

At three months old:

  • Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) - one injection 
  • Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) (MenC) - one injection 
 

At four months old: 

  • Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) - one injection 
  • Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) (MenC) - one injection 
  • Pneumococcal infection - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - one injection 
 

At around 12 months old: 

  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningitis C (Hib/MenC) - booster dose in one injection
 

At around 13 months old: 

  • Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) - one injection 
  • Pneumococcal infection - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - one injection 
 

Three years four months to five years old (pre-school): 

  • Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio (dTaP/IPV or DTaP/IPV) - one injection
  • Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) - one injection 
  • 13 to 18 years old: 
  • Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (Td/IPV) - one injection
 

Further reading

There are some excellent websites that will answer all your questions and queries about immunisation and vaccination. If you are worried about giving the MMR vaccine, you should access the MMR site.

NHS Choices - Immunisation Information
The most comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate source of information on vaccines, disease and immunisation in the UK. 

NHS Choices - MMR Information
This website has been put together to answer any questions you might have about MMR. You can look for information and resources in the MMR library, ask an expert panel a question, and read up on the latest news stories relating to MMR.

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