It can be difficult to keep track of all the different baby vaccinations and child vaccinations that your bundle of joy needs to have.
That's why we've created a whole checklist of the baby vaccinations and child vaccinations that your little one will need, right from being a newborn baby up until their teenage years.
Most vaccinations are completely safe with very small risks and minimal side effects, and if you're worrying it's important to remember that the diseases they are protecting against are much more harmful than the vaccination.
If there's anything you're worried about ask your GP or health visitor to explain it to you, and as your child gets older their school will take over ensuring they are vaccinated properly.
Here you can find out all the baby vaccinations and child vaccinations that your family will need, along with the diseases they protect against and the ages your child will need to have them.
6-in-1 vaccine
Originally a 5-in-1 vaccine, Hepatitis B has also been added to this vaccine. It was only originally available on the NHS to babies as a separate jab. This -6-in-1 vaccine is one of the first vaccines your baby will have and they will need three doses of it. This vaccine is injected into your baby's thigh and can have a few side effects such as irritableness and some redness.
Protects against: Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) Given at: Eight weeks, 12 and 16 weeks of age
Pneumococcal or pneumo jab (PCV)
Pneumococcal infections can lead to pneumonia, septicaemia (a kind of blood poisoning) and meningitis, all of which can be potentially fatal. This vaccine protects against the 13 main strains of the diseases and is said to be 50-70% effective.
Protects against: Some types of pneumococcal infection Given at: Eight weeks, 16 weeks and one year of age
Rotavirus vaccine
The Rotavirus is a highly infectious stomach bug that particularly effects babies and young children and can give them a nasty case of diarrhoea, vomiting, tummy ache and a fever. This vaccine is delivered in a stress free way, simply a liquid dropper is popped into the baby's mouth for them to swallow easily. Side effects may include a little restlessness with some babies developing mild diarrhoea.
Protects against: Rotavirus Given at: Eight and 12 weeks of age
Men B vaccine
Meningococcal infections can be very serious, causing meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), all of which can potentially become fatal. This baby vaccine will be injected into your little one's thigh. You should be aware that if your baby is given the Men B vaccine alongside their other routine vaccinations at eight and 16 weeks, it is likely they will develop a fever within the first 24 hours. Because of this, it's important that you give your baby liquid paracetamol after they have been vaccinated to reduce the risk of fever, but your nurse can help you with this.
Protects against: Meningococcal Given at: Eight weeks, 16 weeks and one year of age
Hib/Men C vaccine
This baby vaccination is just a single jab and protects against Hib and meningitis C infections which can both be potentially fatal. It acts as a top up from the 5-in-1 vaccination that your baby will have previously had and has no side effects.
Protects against: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningitis caused by meningococcal group C bacteria Given at: One year of age
MMR vaccine
MMR protects against measles, mumps and rubella which are separate illnesses but come as a single injection with two doses. It's important to get protection against these illnesses as they are highly infectious and can in some cases kill. This vaccination uses mild strains of the illnesses themselves and therefore side effects can include your child developing a mild form of non-infectious measles for a few days.
Protects against: Measles, mumps and rubella Given at: one year and at three years and four months of age
Children's flu vaccine
The child flu vaccine is delivered in a stress-free and painless way which is good news for both you and your brood. The nasal spray flu vaccine requires just a squirt up each nostril with minimal side effects. If you child has a cold then you may need to reschedule as the vaccination won't work if their nasal passages are blocked.
Protects against: Flu Given at: Annually as a nasal spray in Sept/Oct for all children aged two to eight years
4-in-1 pre-school booster
This vaccination protects against four different serious diseases and will be injected into your child's upper arm. It is a booster from the 5-in-1 vaccination they already received when they were a baby. There are no major side effects, just a little redness around the injected area.
Protects against: Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio Given at: Three years and four months of age
HPV vaccine
The HPV vaccine is currently only offered to girls between the ages of 12-13 years old and targets a sexually transmitted disease that has been linked to causing cervical cancer. This child vaccination will be administrated at school in two doses.
Protects against: Cervical cancer Given at: 12-13 years as two injections at least six months apart
3-in-1 teenage booster
The 3-in-1, also known as the Td/IPV vaccine will be given to your child in year nine to protect against three different diseases. It will be injected into their upper arm with some minimal redness and swelling.
Protects against: Tetanus, diphtheria and polio Given at: 14 years of age
MenACWY vaccine
Given by a single injection into the upper arm, the MenACWY vaccine protects against four different strains of the meningococcal bacteria that cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia): A, C, W and Y.
Protects against: meningitis (caused by meningococcal types A, C, W and Y bacteria)
Given at: 14 years and new university students aged 19-25
Remember you can seek more information on any of these vaccinations from your GP, health visitor or even just online at the NHS website.
