Routine vaccinations

Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health. They prevent up to 3 million deaths worldwide every year.

Vaccination schedules

Our schedules include recommended vaccinations for people of all ages. It is important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection. If you or your child miss a vaccine, contact your GP to catch up. 

• Children
• Adolescents
• Older people

Why vaccination is important 

Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either gone or seen very rarely. 

Other diseases like measles and diphtheria have been reduced by up to 99.9% since their vaccines were introduced. 

However, if people stop having vaccines, it is possible for infectious diseases to quickly spread again. 

Find out more information about the importance and safety of vaccinations.

Children

This schedule covers children of different ages, and the diseases that vaccinations protect against. The schedule is accurate as of November 2018.

Two months old

Three injections and one oral dose:

• 1st dose - Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB)
• 1st dose - Pneumococcal (PCV)
• 1st dose - Meningococcal B (MenB)
• 1st dose - Rotavirus

Three months old

One injection and one oral dose:

• 2nd dose - DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB
• 2nd dose - Rotavirus

Four months old

Three injections:

• 3rd dose - DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB
• 2nd dose - PCV
• 2nd - dose MenB

Between 12 and 13 months old

Within a month of their first birthday. Four injections:

• Booster - Hib/Meningococcal C (Hib/MenC)
• Booster - PCV
• 1st dose - Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Booster - MenB

From 18 months old

One injection:

• 2nd dose - MMR2

Three years four months old or soon after

One injection:

• Booster - Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio (DTaP/IPV)

Two and three years old

Nasal spray, routinely given at general practice:

• Influenza - each year from September

Children in reception class, and in school years 1 to 5 

Nasal spray, routinely given at school:

• Influenza - each year from September. The existing flu immunisation programme will be extended over a number of years to include all children aged 2 to 16 years inclusive.

Visit the NHS website to find out more information about the children's flu vaccine. 

Adolescents

This schedule covers recommended vaccinations for adolescents. 

Girls aged 12 to 13

Vaccination details:

• Human Papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) which protects against cervical cancer caused by HPV types 16 and 18 (and genital warts caused by types 6 and 11). The HPV vaccine is given in two doses administered 6 to 24 months apart.

14 year olds - school year 9

Vaccination details:

• Tetanus, diphtheria and polio (Td/IPV). MMR status is also checked at this point. Meningococcal groups A,C,W and Y disease (MenACWY)

Older people

This schedule covers recommended vaccination for people from age 65.

• 65 year olds - Pneumococcal (PPV)
• 65 year olds and older - Influenza (flu) each year from September
• 70 to 79 year olds - Shingles