Children's Vaccines
Vaccines will protect children for many years against a range of serious illnesses. It is important to complete the childhood immunisation programme. Without vaccinations, children are at greater risk of getting these illnesses.
Children's vaccines
Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health.
Vaccines teach your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases. It's much safer for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them.
Young babies are very vulnerable to infections, so they need to be protected as early as possible. Your child needs several different vaccines to be fully protected, so it’s important to complete the NHS immunisation programme.
If you have any questions, ask your health visitor, doctor, school nurse or a practice nurse in the doctor's surgery.
Find out about booking your child's vaccination appointment. Here are some vaccination tips for parents.
Find out more about why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself and your child.
Flu
Flu can be very unpleasant for children and can sometimes cause serious problems, such as pneumonia. The children's flu vaccine helps protect against flu. It's offered to children aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) and children with certain long-term health conditions.
The children's flu vaccine is offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter, but your child can get up until the end of March.
The children's flu vaccine is usually given as a quick and painless nasal spray in each nostril. Children who cannot have the nasal spray vaccine will get a different flu vaccine, given as an injection into the upper arm or thigh.
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine
The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine. It protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella.
The MMR vaccine is given to babies and young children as part of the NHS vaccination schedule. The first dose is generally given at one year. The second dose is given at 3 years and 4 months. If your child has missed either of these two doses, please contact your GP surgery.
COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccines are normally given seasonally, but some people with a severely weakened immune system may need additional protection at other times. This may be because of a health condition or medical treatment.
If your child is aged 6 months –17 years and in a clinical at-risk group, we encourage you to book as soon as possible to ensure they’re protected ahead of winter and to help prevent the spread of the virus. Please see our walk-in clinic timetable.
Routine childhood immunisations
The NHS childhood vaccination programme gives vaccines to babies and children at different ages. Your child needs several vaccines to protect them from infections, so it’s important to complete their immunisation programme.
In their first few years, your child’s vaccinations will usually be given at your GP surgery or local health clinic. Once your child is of school age, they will be vaccinated in schools or via community clinics through the school aged immunisation service. All with parental consent.
Find out more about the NHS vaccination schedule.