Vaccinations, also called immunisations, save lives. One of the most important things that a parent can do for their child is to make sure that they have all their routine childhood vaccinations.
Why bother?
As a parent, you may not like seeing your baby or child being given an injection. However, vaccinations are the most effective way of keeping your child protected against infectious diseases, which may have severe or even long term effects.
Ideally, kids should have their jabs at the right age to protect them as early as possible and minimise the risk of infection. To ensure maximum protection to the maximum number of people it is important that every child is immunised against these serious infections.
Read more reasons to have your child vaccinated.
What vaccinations?
Find out when your child should get their jabs and what the vaccination will be:
When | What for | What vaccine | Where |
2 months | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio & Hib | DTaP/IPV/Hib or 5-in-1 vaccine | Thigh |
Pneumococcal infection | PCV | Thigh | |
3 months | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio & Hib |
DTaP/IPV/Hib | Thigh |
Meningitis & septicaemia |
MenC | Thigh | |
4 months | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio & Hib |
DTaP/IPV/Hib |
Thigh |
Meningitis & septicaemia |
MenC | Thigh (2.5 cm from the above) | |
Pneumococcal infection | PCV | Thigh (opposite) | |
12 to 13 months |
Hib, meningitis & septicaemia |
Hib/MenC | Thigh |
Measles, mumps & rubella | MMR | Thigh | |
Pneumococcal infection | PCV | Thigh | |
3 years 4 months to 5 years | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough & polio | dTaP/IPV or DTaP/IPV | Upper arm |
Measles, mumps & rubella |
MMR (second dose) | Upper arm | |
12 to 13 year old girls | Cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus types 16 & 18 | HPV | Upper arm |
13 to 18 years | Tetanus, diphtheria & polio | Td/IPV & MMR check | Upper arm |
If you have missed all or some of these immunisations – you can still access them by contacting your health visitor or doctor's surgery.
The HPV Team also run drop-in clinics for missed HPV vaccinations for cervical cancer. Call 01709 302477 to arrange to attend one.
You can print out a personalised vaccination wall planner to remind you when all your child's jabs are due.
Going to your doctors
When you are due a routine vaccination you should receive a letter in the post with an appointment date or asking you to contact your doctors to make an appointment. If you think your child should be due a vaccination and you haven't had an appointment letter, you should contact your doctor or nurse and book an appointment if necessary.
- Prepare for your visit with this appointment checklist
- Fussy clothing, fear and being in a rush are the main problems that will make a jab an unpleasant experience. Prepare you and your child with these six practical tips for a worry free, routine doctors visit.
- Take your child's red record book to the appointment and any other appointment you have with a doctor, nurse, health visitor or hospital as it records your child's immunisation status.
Don’t forget when preparing your child for school, to make sure they are up to date with all of their immunisations.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding childhood vaccinations speak to your practice nurse or health visitor.
Last reviewed: 25/10/2010