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.uk
