Vaccinations

The 6-in-1 vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses like polio and whooping cough. It's given to babies when they're 8, 12 and 16 weeks old.

The 6-in-1 vaccine protects babies against diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b), polio, tetanus and whooping cough.

The 6-in-1 vaccine is for babies. They're given a dose of the vaccine at 8 weeks old, 12 weeks old and 16 weeks old.

Most babies can have the 6-in-1 vaccine. They only cannot have it if they've had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine or an ingredient in it.

You can check the ingredients in the 6-in-1 vaccine by asking to see the patient leaflet or searching for it online.

Your GP surgery will usually contact you to arrange your child's 6-in-1 vaccinations. Speak to your GP surgery if you have not been contacted.

Common side effects of the 6-in-1 vaccine include swelling or pain where the injection was given, a high temperature, tiredness and loss of appetite.

The pneumococcal vaccine protects against serious illnesses like pneumonia and sepsis. It's recommended for people at higher risk of these illnesses.

The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against some types of infections that can cause serious illnesses like meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia.

The pneumococcal vaccine is for babies, adults aged 65 and over, and people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from pneumococcal infections.

Most people who need it can have the pneumococcal vaccine. You cannot have it if you've had a serious allergic reaction to it or an ingredient in it.

You can check the ingredients in the pneumococcal vaccine by asking to see the patient leaflet or searching for it online.

Your GP surgery should contact you to arrange you or your child's pneumococcal vaccinations. Welders and metal workers should speak to their employer.

Side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine include swelling or pain where the injection was given, a high temperature, tiredness and loss of appetite.

The pneumococcal vaccine gives some protection by about 3 weeks from when you've had it. The protection only starts to reduce after 5 years.

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.

The shingles vaccine is used to reduce your chances of getting shingles and of getting serious problems if you do get shingles.

The shingles vaccine is recommended for some older adults (including everyone aged 70 to 79) and some people with a severely weakened immune system.

Most people can have the shingles vaccine. You only need to avoid it if you've had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine, or an ingredient in it.

You can check the ingredients in the shingles vaccine by asking to see the patient leaflet or searching for it online.

Your GP surgery will usually contact you when you become eligible for the shingles vaccine.

Common side effects of the shingles vaccine include swelling or pain where the injection was given. Serious side effects are very rare.

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 HPV vaccine can help reduce your chances of getting certain types of cancer, such as cervical cancer, mouth cancer and penile cancer.

The HPV vaccine is for children aged 12 to 13 years old and people at higher risk from HPV, such as men under 45 who have sex with men.

Most people can have the HPV vaccine. You only need to avoid it if you've had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine, or an ingredient in it.

You can check the ingredients in the HPV vaccine by asking to see the patient leaflet or searching for it online.

Children aged 12 to 13 usually have the HPV vaccine at school. People at higher risk from HPV can get the vaccine from sexual health or HIV clinics.

Most people under 25 only need 1 dose of the HPV vaccine. Older people and those with weakened immune systems usually need 2 or 3 doses.

Common side effects of the HPV vaccine include swelling or pain where the injection was given. Serious side effects are very rare.

The HPV vaccines works very well in helping prevent HPV. There has been a big drop in cancers linked to HPV since the vaccine has been used in the UK.

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.