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Immunisation for children
There are some diseases that can kill children or cause lasting damage to their health. Sometimes your child's immune system needs help to fight those diseases. Immunisation - also called 'vaccination', 'jabs' or 'injections' - provides that help.
The UK's immunisation schedule
| Age immunisation is given | Diseases protected against | Name of vaccine |
|---|---|---|
| Two months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Pneumococcal infection |
DTaP/IPV/Hib Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, (PCV) |
| Three months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Meningitis C |
DTaP/IPV/Hib MenC |
| Four months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Meningitis C Pneumococcal infection |
DTaP/IPV/Hib MenC PCV |
| Around 12 months old | Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) Meningitis C |
Hib/MenC |
| Around 13 months old | Measles, mumps and rubella Pneumococcal infection |
MMR PCV |
| Three years and four months or soon after | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio Measles, mumps and rubella |
DTaP/IPV or dTaP/IPV MMR |
| Thirteeen to eighteen years old | Diphtheria, tetanus, polio | Td/IPV |
| Thirteen to eighteen years old (from September 2008 - girls only) | Human papilloma virus (HPV) - increases the risk of cervical cancer | HPV |
In addition, some babies in high-risk groups are given a BCG immunisation for protection against tuberculosis shortly after they are born. Higher risk infants may also receive immunisation against Hepatitis B. Your doctor/health visitor will give you more information if your child needs these immunisations.
Getting your child immunised
Before your child starts school, they will usually be immunised either at your doctor's surgery or local child health clinic. An appointment is usually sent either from the Child Health Department or by your surgery.
Teenagers will usually be immunised at school. The school will contact you before your child is given any immunisation.
If you have any questions or want more information, you can talk to your health visitor, doctor, school nurse or practice nurse at your doctor's surgery. You can also call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (England and Wales only). Calls are charged at local rates. For patient's safety all calls are recorded.
Northern Ireland and Scotland have their own NHS services. Find out more by using the links below.
Flu jabs
A flu jab is recommended each year, before winter begins, for children who may find it difficult to fight off flu or who are at greater risk of developing complications. If your child has one of the following conditions, flu vaccination is recommended and you should speak to your doctor:
- serious respiratory disease, including chronic asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis or emphysema
- severe liver or kidney disease
- diabetes
- immunosuppression due to disease or treatment
- children who either do not have a spleen or whose spleen does not work properly
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