Baby immunisations

When will my baby receive their first vaccinations?

The NHS routine childhood immunisation programme offers vaccinations before your child reaches school age.

The first vaccinations are offered at eight weeks old; the next invitation comes four weeks later, and again four weeks after that. 

There is then a set of vaccinations around the time of your child’s first birthday, and then at roughly 40 months (three years and four months). These are normally referred to as the pre-school booster vaccines. 

The vaccines usually take place at your registered GP clinic or medical centre.

These are the vaccines given to babies under 1 year old (8 to 16 weeks old):

• 6-in-1 vaccine (3 doses, four weeks apart)
• Rotavirus vaccine (1^st & 2^nd dose)
• MenB vaccine (1^st and 2^nd dose)
• Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine

These are the vaccines given to children aged 1 to 3.5 years old:

• Hib/MenC (1^st dose)
• MMR vaccine (1^st dose & 2^nd dose)
• Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine (2^nd dose)​​​​​​​
• MenB vaccine (3^rd dose)
• 4-in-1 preschool booster

In addition to all those listed above, from the age of two onwards all children will receive the flu vaccine each winter, via a nasal spray.

Seek medical help

If you are worried about your child, trust your instincts. Speak to your doctor or call the free NHS helpline 111. 

Call the doctor immediately if, at any time, your child

• has a temperature of 39°C or above
• has a fit

If the surgery is closed and you can’t contact your doctor, trust your instincts and go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.