If a vaccine is given when a baby still has antibodies to the disease, the antibodies can stop the vaccine working. This is why routine childhood immunisations do not start until a baby is two months old, before the antibodies a baby gets from its mother have stopped working. This is also why it is important for parents to stick to the immunisation schedule, as a delay can leave a baby unprotected. Do not give paracetamol prior to immunisations, however after Men B immunisations, a baby should have 2.5mls of paracetamol for babies aged two months within two hours of having had the immunisation and a further two doses four to six hours apart to prevent the baby having a fever, a common side effect of Men B immunisation.
Vaccination Schedule
Routine childhood immunisation programme from Spring 2018
Each vaccination, except rotavirus, is given as a single injection into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm. Rotavirus vaccine is given as drops to be swallowed.
At Two Months Old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and Hepatitis B – Infanrix Hexa – one injection – Right Thigh
Pneumococcal disease – Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – Prevnar 13 – Right Thigh
Rotavirus gastroenteritis – Rotarix (given by mouth)
Meningococcal group B (Men B) – Bexsero – Left Thigh
At Three Months Old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib and Hepatitis B – Infanrix Hexa – Right Thigh
Rotavirus gastroenteritis – Rotarix (given by mouth)
At Four Months Old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib and Hepatitis B – Infanrix Hexa – Right Thigh
Pneumococcal disease – PCV – Prevnar 13 – Right Thigh
Meningococcal Group B (Men B) – Bexsero – Left Thigh
Between 12 and 13 Months Old – Within a Month of The First Birthday
Hib/MenC – Menitorix – Left Upper Arm
Pneumococcal disease – PCV – Prevenar 13 – Right Thigh
Measles, mumps, rubella (German measles) – MMR – MMRVax Pro or Priorix – Right Thigh
Meningococcal Group B (Men B) – Bexsero – Left Thigh
Between Two to Four Years
( In GP surgery) Age Four to Nine Years (in Primary Schools) All at risk children aged from Six months to Eighteen Years
Influenza – Live attenuated influenza vaccine – Fluenz Tetra – Given in both nostrils
Three Years and Four Months or Soon After
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio – DTaP/IPV – Repevax – Upper arm
Measles, mumps and rubella – MMR – MMRVaxPro or Priorix – Upper arm
Girls Aged 12 to 13 Years
Cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 – HPV (two doses 6 – 24 months apart) Gardasil – Upper arm
13 to 14 Year Olds
Tetanus, diphtheria and polio – Td/IPV – Revaxis – Upper arm
Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y – Men ACWY – Nimenrix or Menveo – Upper arm
Further Reading
There are some excellent websites that will answer all your questions and queries about immunisation and vaccination. If you are worried about giving the MMR vaccine, you should access the MMR site.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations
www.patient.info/health/immunisation
The most comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate source of information on vaccines, disease and immunisation in the UK.www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine This website has been put together to answer any questions you might have about MMR. You can look for information and resources in the MMR library, ask an expert panel a question, and read up on the latest news stories relating to MMR.