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):

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

  • Hib/MenC (Babies who are born on or after 1 July 2024 will not get the Hib/MenC vaccine.

    They will get a new 4th dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine when they are 18 months old instead. You'll be contacted when your child is due for this vaccine.)

  • 6-in-1 vaccine (4th dose)

  • MMRV vaccine (Children born between 1 January 2020 and 31 August 2022 who have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine will receive 1 dose, given sometime between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2028 – your GP will contact you about this nearer the time)
  • Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine (2nd dose)
  • MenB vaccine (3rd 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.

For tips on helping yourself and your baby through vaccinations and what to expect after they have been vaccinated visit:

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.