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There are some diseases that can kill children or cause lasting damage to their health. Sometimes your child's immune system needs help to fight these diseases. Immunisation - also called "vaccination," "jabs" or "injections" - provides this help.
Immunisation is an effective way of protecting your child against serious disease. Once children have been immunised, their bodies are able to fight disease better. If a child is not immunised, they will be at risk of catching a disease when they come into contact with it.
If more people choose not to immunise their children, the number of children at risk of catching a disease will increase and outbreaks of the disease will occur. For example, there have been several recent outbreaks of measles in South West London and Ireland. The only time to stop immunising children is when a disease has been completely eradicated worldwide. In 1979, for instance, immunisation against smallpox ceased as it had been eliminated from every country. It is hoped that polio will soon be eradicated too.
In the UK, there has been a well-managed immunisation programme for many years. The immunisation schedule is constantly updated, and was last updated in 2009.
Please note that each vaccination is given as a single injection into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm.
| When to Immunise | Diseases Protected Against | Vaccine Given |
| 2 months old | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib), Pneumococcal infection | DTaP/IPV/Hib and Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) |
| 3 months old | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib), Meningitis C (Meningococcal Group C) | DTaP/IPV/Hib and MenC |
| 4 months old | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib), Meningitis C (Meningococcal Group C), Pneumococcal infection | DTaP/IPV/Hib and MenC and PCV |
| Around 12 months | Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) with Meningitis C, Measles, Mumps and Rubella (German measles), Pneumococcal infection | Hib/MenC, MMR and PCV |
| 17-18 months | Measles, Mumps and Rubella (German measles) | MMR |
| 3 years and 4 months (or soon after) | Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis and Polio; Measles, Mumps and Rubella | DTaP/IPV or dTaP/IPV and MMR |
| Girls aged 12-13 years | Cervical cancer (caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18) | HPV |
| 13-18 years | Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio | Td/IPV |
| When to Immunise | Diseases Protected Against | Vaccine Given |
| At Birth (to babies who are more likely to come into contact with TB than the general population) |
Tuberculosis | BCG |
| At Birth (to babies whose mothers are hepatitis B positive) |
Hepatitis B | Hep B (given as 3 injections in the first 6 months) |
For more information about the routine immunisation programme, please refer to the Department of Health's Immunisation website here. Answers to some commonly raised questions and parent concerns can be found here.
Below we have outlined the routine care of a newborn and young child
Birth-72 hours
All newborn babies have a full physical examination soon after birth and, within 72 hours, the Newborn Physical Examination (more information).
Day 3-10
Mother and child will be visited at home during the first 10 days by a midwife who will check on both the mother and baby's health in the immediate post-natal period. About a week after birth, the midwife will prick your baby's heel using a special device to collect some drops of blood onto a card. This is called the Newborn blood spot. The blood is then used to screen babies for five rare, but serious, conditions. Early detection and treatment of these conditions can improve their health and prevent severe disability or even death (more information).
Day 10-8 Weeks
After day 10, the health visitor will visit mother and baby at home. The baby will be weighed, and any health concerns, in particular around feeding, sleep patterns, and mother's health may be discussed. Health visitors are able to advise about many of the commonly encountered baby health and care problems. At this time, they will also provide you with a child health record, known as the Red Book. The health visitor will provide you with details of your local child health clinic where further care will be given.
Some time in the first 2 weeks, you will be offered the Newborn Hearing Screen, an assessment of the newborn’s hearing. This may be carried out by your health visitor or may involve a visit to the hospital. The test involves placing a small soft tipped earpiece in the outer part of your baby’s ear, which sends clicking sounds down the ear. When an ear receives sound, the inner part, known as the cochlea, usually produces an echo. The screening equipment can pick up this response (more information).
8 Week Check
At 8 weeks, mother and baby are invited for routine health checks, or the Infant Physical examination, at the GP’s surgery. At this appointment, you will have an opportunity to discuss any worries or concerns you may have about yourself or your baby. A further physical examination will be carried out, including a general all-over physical check, as well as an examination of the baby's eyes, heart, hips, testes (boys only), development and measurement of weight, height and head circumference.
A record of the check is made in the baby’s Red Book and a copy is made in the child’s medical records. Parents are advised of the outcome of the assessment and if any further examinations are required.
8 Month Check
A further physical examination is carried out at 8 months by the health visitor at the local child-health clinic. The baby’s weight and height are recorded, and a further check of the hips is carried out. A developmental assessment is also undertaken, checking for fine and gross motor skills, vocalisation and hearing. It is also another opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have about development, feeding and behaviour.
