Childhood Immunisations

Immunisation is the safest and most effective way to prevent the spread of many highly infectious diseases. Vaccination not only protects you but also benefits your entire community through 'herd immunity'. When a sufficient number of people are immunised, infections cannot spread easily from person to person. The NHS provides a detailed explanation of how vaccines work, what they contain, and their most common side effects.

Faith Communities and Vaccine Ingredients

Concerns have been raised by some groups regarding the use of pork-derived ingredients in certain vaccines. Guidance has been developed to provide information about which vaccines contain these ingredients and the available alternatives.

The UK childhood vaccination schedule has changed, with a few key updates including the introduction of an 18-month appointment for children born on or after July 1, 2024, and the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (Chickenpox)) vaccine replacing the MMR, to provide earlier protection against measles and chickenpox. 

For full details of the changes and the updated vaccination schedule, please check the NHS vaccination schedule or Your child’s vaccine schedule. 
 
Vaccines provide the best protection when given on time. If you or your child have missed a vaccine, contact your GP. For more information on child's vaccination appointment, visit the NHS booking page. 

The MMRV vaccine is a simple way to protect your child against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Since the MMR vaccine was introduced in 1988, cases of measles, mumps and rubella have all fallen to extremely low levels. 

MMRV offers the same protection as MMR but adds protection against chickenpox (Varicella). Evidence has shown that in countries where children already get a chickenpox vaccine, cases of chickenpox have fallen dramatically. MMRV has been used for over 10 years in several countries and has a good safety record. For more information on MMRV Vaccine, visit MMRV vaccination - GOV.UK 
 
The original MMR vaccine is now reserved for older children and adults (born on or before 31 Dec 2019) who missed vaccinations and aren't eligible for the new MMRV catch-up. If you are unsure whether you or a family member has received the MMR vaccine, please contact your GP surgery. For more information, visit the MMR for all guide - GOV.UK 

Are Vaccines Safe for My Child?
Learn why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself on the NHS page - Why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself.

Why Should You Get Your Child Vaccinated?
Watch this informative YouTube video to find out more.

Quick Guide for Parents of Premature Babies
Read the quick guide to childhood immunisation for parents of premature babies.

Tips for a Smooth Vaccination Appointment
There are some things parents and carers can do to help make a child’s vaccination appointment go smoothly. Check out these vaccination tips for parents.

Migrant Health Immunisation

This information is for anyone who has moved to the UK and advises on the need to register with a GP to get up to date with routine vaccinations. Ensure your child has all UK-recommended vaccinations. Consult a nurse to review and update their immunisation record.

Multilingual Resources

Immunisation information for migrants is available in multiple languages. Translated versions can be downloaded or printed locally. For a full list of available languages and to access the translated versions, visit the immunisation information for migrants page.

Pregnancy Vaccination

Vaccines given during pregnancy, such as flu and whooping cough, protect both the mother and unborn baby from serious infections. For more information, visit the NHS pregnancy vaccination page.

RSV Vaccination

Starting from 1 September 2024, pregnant women will be offered a free RSV vaccine during each pregnancy, around their 28-week appointment. This vaccine protects babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus that can cause bronchiolitis. In small babies, this condition can make it difficult to breathe and feed.

For more information, visit the guide to RSV vaccination for pregnant women.

For translated and accessible versions, visit the translated and accessible versions page.

Travel Vaccination Advice

If you’re planning to travel outside the UK, you may need vaccinations to protect yourself and your children against infections. Some countries require proof of vaccination upon entry or exit. For more information, you can contact your GP practice or visit the NHS travel vaccination advice page.

Education and childcare settings have a vital role to play in supporting the routine immunisation programme through sharing of information with parents and caregivers at key points. For further information see The Role of Education and Childcare Settings.
 
A practical guide for staff on managing cases of infectious diseases in children and young people settings, including education is available at: Health protection in children and young people settings, including education - GOV.UK. Settings also could speak to their health visitor, school nurse, or other setting-specific healthcare workers about the support they can offer. 
 
Preschool Vaccination   
Pre-school vaccinations (often called pre-school boosters) help refresh and strengthen children’s immune systems by reminding them how to fight certain infections and the diseases they cause. Protection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and chickenpox can reduce over time after the vaccines given in infancy. In addition, some children may not develop full immunity to measles, mumps or rubella after one dose of the MMRV vaccine, so a further dose provides important additional protection. For more information, see Pre-school vaccinations: guide to vaccinations from 2 to 5 years - GOV.UK 
To promote immunisation in your nursery use: Starting Nursery Postcard 
 
School Immunisation  
A range of vaccines is routinely offered to young people through a long-standing programme that protects against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. Schools play a key role by hosting vaccination sessions and supporting communication with parents and young people during the consent process. Delivering the programme through schools makes vaccination more accessible, ensures timely protection, reduces inequalities, and helps achieve higher vaccine uptake. For further information visit: Adolescent vaccination programme: briefing for secondary schools 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK  
 

WSCC MECC (Making Every Contact Count) Vaccination Training is available to all staff (early years settings, schools, NHS, social care and community partnership and charity services, etc). It aims to equip staff with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to have effective conversations about vaccination. For booking use Making Every Contact Count – Vaccination  

You may need to create a new account if you have not used the WSCC training area previously. 

Other resources include: 
•    All promotional resources available to order for free on healthpublications.gov.uk 
•    Guidance for Routine Childhood Immunisation Schedule 
•    UKHSA Immunisation Equity Strategy: commitments for 2025 to 2030 - GOV.UK 
•    Vaccination in the UK: Access, uptake and equity | RCPCH 
•    FAQs about vaccines | Vaccine Knowledge Project 
•    Vaccine resources | British Society for Immunology