Child Immunisations

 

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Childhood 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).

We carry out checks when your baby is 8 weeks old (two months). There is a GP check, followed by the first set of immunisations with a practice nurse. The initial GP and nurse appointment need to be booked by calling our Care Navigators but later appointments can be booked via the NHS App if you proxy access for your child. 

To ensure that children are on schedule with their immunisations, we will contact a child's parent/guardian if appointments aren't booked or are missed. South West Child Health Information Services (SW CHIS) will also send routine reminders when immunisations are due, or are missed.

child immunisations

 

Vaccination Schedule

 

At two months old (8 weeks): 

  • Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib), and Hepatitis B (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB) - one injection 
  • Meningitis B (MenB) - one injection
  • Rotavirus - oral
 

At three months old (12 weeks):

  • Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib), and Hepatitis B (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB) - one injection 
  • Pneumococcal Infection - Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) - one injection
  • Rotavirus - oral
 

At four months old (16 weeks): 

  • Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib), and Hepatitis B (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB) - one injection
  • Meningitis B (MenB) - one injection 
 

At around 13 months old: 

  • Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) and Meningitis C (Hib/MenC) - booster dose in one injection
  • 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): 

  • Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib), and Hepatitis B (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB) - one injection
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella (German measles) (MMR) - one injection 
 

13 to 18 years old: 

  • Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (Td/IPV) - one injection
  • Meningococcal groups A, C, W135, and Y (MenACWY) - one injection
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - two doses (given 6 to 12 months apart)

These are typically administered through school nurses or catch up clinics.

 

Further reading

There are some excellent websites that will answer all your questions and queries about immunisation and vaccination. If you are worried about getting 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.