Child immunisations

Childhood immunisation information for parents/ guardians

The principle aims of immunisation are to protect your child from infectious diseases with associated mortality, morbidity and long term complications, to prevent outbreaks of disease and to eventually eradicate infectious diseases.

Vaccines are extensively tested. Before they are introduced they have been licensed by the Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency who assess their safety and efficacy.

Immunisation schedule

2 months old

  • 6 in 1 vaccine (1st dose):
    • Diptheria
    • Hepatitis B
    • Hib (Haemophilus influenze type b)
    • Polio
    • Tetanus
    • Whooping cough
    • Rotavirus
    • Men B

3 months old

  • 6 in 1 vaccine (2nd dose):
    • Diptheria
    • Hepatitis B
    • Hib (Haemophilus influenze type b)
    • Polio
    • Tetanus
    • Whooping cough
    • Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine
    • Rotavirus (2nd dose)

4 months old

  • 6 in 1 vaccine (3rd dose):
    • Diptheria
    • Hepatitis B
    • Hib (Haemophilus influenze type b)
    • Polio
    • Tetanus
    • Whooping cough
    • Men B (2nd dose)

At 12 months (after first birthday)

  • Hib/Men C (1st dose)
  • MMR (1st dose)
  • Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine (2nd dose)
  • Men B (3rd dose)

2, 3 and 4 years

  • Seasonal nasal flu vaccine during September – March

3 years 4 months

  • MMR (2nd dose)
  • 4 in 1 pre-school booster
  • Diptheria
  • Tetanus
  • Whooping cough
  • Polio

For the immunisations to have optimum effect there must be a gap of 4 weeks in between 1st, 2nd and 3rd vaccinations. If your baby is ill when their immunisations are due, it is ok to defer until he/she is better.

Child health record (Red book)

Please bring your child’s red book to all child immunisation clinics so that all immunisations are recorded.

Child immunisation clinic

The child immunisation clinics are held at various times during the day across the week.

Consent

Before your child is vaccinated the Nurse will explain what vaccinations are due to be given and request verbal consent. If you, as a parent, have asked a friend or relative to bring your child for vaccination, then written consent or a telephone call to one of the Nurses will be required before vaccination can be administered. A friend or relative presenting with the red book will not be accepted unless verbal or written consent from the parent/guardian has been given beforehand.

Reasons to postpone your child’s vaccinations

  • Child feeling unwell with fever
  • Severe reaction to an earlier vaccination
  • Incorrect time for vaccinations
  • No consent

Possible side-effects

  • Local reactions include soreness, swelling and redness at the injection site.
  • Mild transient fever
  • Less common – drowsiness, crying, diarrhoea and vomiting.

If your child experiences a raise in temperature (above 37 degrees) then please given paracetamol (Calpol) according to their age. If you have any concerns a GP is present in the Practice until 18:30 Monday to Friday to give advice. Otherwise please call 111 the out of hours service.

For more information regarding immunisations for your child please look at the following website: