Vaccinations

Babies are offered the 6-in-1 vaccine to protect them against 6 serious childhood infections, including diphtheria, hepatitis B, tetanus and polio.

Babies are given 3 doses of the 6-in-1 vaccine. The doses are given when your baby is 8, 12 and 16 weeks old.

The 6-in-1 vaccine produces very good immunity to the 6 childhood infections it protects against.

The 6-in-1 vaccine is very safe. It does not contain live viruses or bacteria so it will not give your baby any of the infections it protects against.

There are few side effects from the 6-in-1 vaccine. Common reactions include pain and redness, a high temperature and irritability.

Most babies can have the 6-in-1 vaccine. A baby should not have it if they’re allergic to it, they have a high temperature, or uncontrolled epilepsy.

The pneumococcal vaccine is offered to babies and people at high risk of bacterial infections like pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis.

Babies have 2 doses of the pneumococcal vaccine. Older children and adults at risk may only need a single dose.

The pneumococcal vaccine works very well. Since it has been used, there’s been a large reduction in people getting ill from pneumococcal bacteria.

Sometimes, you or your child may not be able to have the pneumococcal vaccine. For example, if you've had an allergic reaction to it before.

Side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine include a slightly raised temperature and redness or swelling where the injection was given.

Babies are offered the MenB vaccine to protect them against serious bacterial infections such as meningitis and sepsis.

Babies are given a dose of the MenB vaccine when they’re 8 weeks, 16 weeks and 1 year old.

Your GP surgery or clinic will send you an appointment for your baby to have their MenB vaccination along with their other routine vaccinations.

The MenB vaccine is safe. Since it was licensed in 2015, almost 5 million doses have been given with no safety concerns identified.

Your baby may get a high temperature after having the MenB vaccine. Give them liquid paracetamol to help avoid this.

The MenB vaccine is very effective. It protects against most types of meningococcal group B bacteria found in the UK.

All babies are offered the rotavirus vaccine in their first few months to protect them against a highly infectious stomach bug called rotavirus.

Babies are offered 2 doses of the rotavirus vaccine. The first dose is usually given at 8 weeks and the second dose at 12 weeks.

The rotavirus vaccine offers very good protection against rotavirus and has significantly reduced the number of children who get seriously ill.

The rotavirus vaccine is widely used in many countries and research has shown it’s safe for babies.

Most babies do not have any side effects from the rotavirus vaccine. Some babies may be irritable afterwards or have mild diarrhoea for a few days.

The hepatitis B vaccine helps protect against the hepatitis B virus. It’s recommended for some people at high risk of getting the infection.

Babies are vaccinated against hepatitis B as part of the routine 6-in-1 vaccine. Some babies and adults need extra doses of the hepatitis B vaccine.

Side effects after having the hepatitis B vaccine are rare, but may include some redness and soreness where the injection was given.

The hepatitis B vaccine protects about 9 in every 10 people who have it.

The BCG vaccine protects against tuberculosis (TB). It’s recommended for some babies, children and adults at high risk of getting the infection.

Babies at risk of tuberculosis (TB) are usually given the BCG vaccine at 28 days old. It can also be given to older children and adults if needed.

The BCG vaccine is effective at protecting against the most serious types of tuberculosis (TB) infection, such as TB meningitis in children.

Side effects of the BCG vaccine can include soreness and a high temperature. It can also leave a small scar on the arm where it’s given.

Children are offered the 4-in-1 pre-school vaccine to boost protection against 4 serious infections: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio.

The 4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine is given before your child starts school, when they’re 3 years 4 months old.

It's safe for your child to have the 4-in-1 pre-school booster at the same time as other vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine.

More than 99 in every 100 children who have the 4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine are protected against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio.

The 4-in-1 pre-school booster has been fully tested to make sure it’s safe. It cannot cause any of the conditions it protects against.

Your child may have some mild side effects after having the 4-in-1 pre-school booster, such as redness or tenderness where the injection was given.

Your child should not have the 4-in-1 pre-school booster if they have a high temperature or if they’re allergic to the vaccine.

If your child misses their 4-in-1 pre-school booster, you can make another appointment to have it at your GP surgery or local child health clinic.

Babies are offered the Hib/MenC vaccine to boost their protection against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningitis C infections.

The Hib/MenC vaccine is given to babies when they're 1 year old.

The Hib/MenC vaccine is very safe and there's no risk of your baby catching the infections it protects against.

Common side effects of the Hib/MenC vaccine include pain and redness where the injection was given, a high temperature and irritability.

The Hib/MenC booster is highly effective in reducing the risk of your child getting infected with Hib or meningitis C.

The MMR vaccine is offered to children to protect them against serious and highly infectious illnesses called measles, mumps and rubella.

Babies are given the 1st dose of the MMR vaccine when they’re 1 year old. They’re given the 2nd dose at 3 years and 4 months.

After 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, almost all children are protected against measles and rubella, and almost 9 in every 10 are protected against mumps.

After the MMR vaccine, there may be some redness and swelling where the injection is given. Babies or young children may also have a high temperature.

The main ingredient of the MMR vaccine is a small amount of weakened measles, mumps and rubella viruses.

The children's nasal spray flu vaccine is safe and effective. It's offered every year to children to help protect them against flu.

All children can get the nasal spray flu vaccine from 2 years until school year 7. Children with some health conditions can get it until they’re 17.

School children usually get the flu vaccine through their school. If your child is not at school, they can be vaccinated at their GP surgery.

The children’s flu vaccine is usually given as a spray squirted up each nostril. Some children will need an injection in their arm instead.

The children’s nasal spray flu vaccine is very effective. It’s the best way to protect your child from flu and helps stop them spreading it to others.

The children’s nasal spray flu vaccine is very safe. Some children may have mild side effects afterwards, such as a runny nose or headache.

The children’s nasal spray flu vaccine contains some weakened flu viruses, but these do not cause flu. You can talk to a GP or nurse to find out more.