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Childhood Immunisation

Immunisation prepares our bodies to fight serious infections which we may come in contact with in the future. Because immunisation is so successful, it is now rare for children to get serious diseases like diphtheria, polio or tetanus. Measles and pertussis (whooping cough) are also becoming less common. However, if children are not immunised against these diseases, they will come back again. Vaccines are offered to all children to protect them against the following diseases:
  • Diphtheria (D)
  • Tetanus (T)
  • Pertussis (P)
  • Polio (IPV)
  • Haemophilus influenzae (Hib)
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Meningitis C
  • Pneumococcal infection (PCV)
  • Human Papillomavirus

Routine Childhood Immunisation Schedule from September 2008

When to Immunise Diseases vaccine protects against How it is given
2 months old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio
and Hib (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
Pneumococcal infection (PCV)
One injection
One Injection
3 months old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib
Meningitis C (Men C)
One injection
One injection
4 months old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib
Meningitis C
Pneumococcal infection
One injection
One injection
One injection
12 months old Hib and Meningitis C One injection
15 months old
Measles, mumps and rubella
Pneumococcal infection
One injection
One injection
3-5 years old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio
Measles, mumps and rubella
One injection
One injection
12-13 years old Human Papillomavirus which causes cervical cancer Three injections
14-18 years old Tetanus, diphtheria and polio One injection
All parents receive invitations at the appropriate times to have their child immunised. Immunisation for young children usually takes place in the GP surgery or health centre. The immunisations given to 12 to 18 year olds are usually given in school and parents and young people will be notified at the appropriate time by the school doctor/nurse.
Information on the immunisations can be found in the following leaflets:
More information about childhood immunisation is available at www.immunisation.nhs.ukLink to an external website
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