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Immunisation protects against serious diseases, reducing risk for individuals and communities, detailed information can be found on the pages of Immunisation and vaccinations | nidirect.

Childhood immunisation programmes and schedule

Childhood immunisations

Protecting children from an early age is vital to their health.

For infants and children under 2 years: Vaccines in this age provide protection against diseases such as Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, Hib, MMR, Men B, Men C, pneumococcal, rotavirus, BCG, influenza Resources: Childhood immunisation programme
For preschool children ( aged 2- 4 years): Children in this age group should receive booster vaccines to strengthen their immunity against serious illnesses such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, MMR.
For 12–13 year olds: Children in this age group should receive booster vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, MenACWY, MMR, and get started on HPV: Resources: Factsheet on MenACWY immunisation for teenagers; Factsheet on HPV vaccine for children in Year 9 and 10; HPV vaccine training slides 2019 15_8_19.pptx
For 11-18 year olds: HPV vaccine: protects against the human papillornavirus, which can lead to certain cancers.
For 14-18 years old: these include boosters and additional vaccines to maintain long-term immunity.
Those attending University for the first time: First-time university attendees are encouraged to ensure they are fully vaccinated, including protection against meningitis.

There are vaccines to protect children against:

flu
diphtheria (D)(external link opens in a new window / tab)
tetanus (T)
pertussis (whooping cough); Pertussis (whooping cough includes infants, children, pregnant women)
polio (IPV)(external link opens in a new window / tab)
haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
hepatitis B
measles
mumps
rubella
meningococcal disease (groups A, C, W and Y); Factsheet on MenACWY immunisation for teenager
meningococcal disease (group B); Fact sheet on meningitis B immunisation
pneumococcal infection (PCV)
human papillomavirus (HPV)
rotavirus; Factsheet on rotavirus immunisation

Parental webinars:

MMR vaccine:

Protects your child against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles).
Given as a single injection containing three vaccines.
Schedule: 1st dose: just after your child's first birthday, 2nd dose: at three years and four months old.
Why it's important: Measles, mumps and rubella can cause severe complications. Early vaccination is critical to keep your child safe. Click for more information and advice on MMR.

Childhood immunisation schedule

Age due	Vaccines that protect against		Vaccine given
8 weeks old	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B		DTaP/IPV/Hib/He (6 in 1 vaccine) - one injection
	Meningococcal group B (MenB)		MenB - one injection
	Rotavirus gastroenteritis		Rotavirus - orally
12 weeks old	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B		DTaP/IPV/Hib/He (6 in 1 vaccine) - one injection
	Meningococcal group B (MenB)		MenB - one injection
	Rotavirus gastroenteritis		Rotavirus - orally
16 weeks old	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B		DTaP/IPV/Hib/He (6 in 1 vaccine) - one injection
	Pneumococcal (13 serotypes) • if received pneumococcal at 12 weeks give Men B		PCV - one injection
Age due	Vaccines that protect against		Vaccine given
One year old (on or after the child’s first birthday)	Born before 1 July 2024	Born on or after 1 July 2024
	Pneumococcal	Pneumococcal	PCV - one injection
	Measles, mumps, rubella	Measles, mumps, rubella	MMR - one injection
	MenB	MenB	MenB - one injection
	Hib/MenC (if Hib/MenC exhausted give DTaP/Hib/IPV/HepB)		Hib/MenC - one injection
18 months	No appointment	DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB	DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB - one injection
		Measles, mumps, rubella	MMR - one injection
3 years 4 months old or soon after	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio	Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio	dTaP/IPV - one injection
	Measles, mumps, rubella		MMR - one injection
Boys and girls aged 12 to 13 years	Cancers and genital warts caused by specific human papillomavirus (HPV) types		HPV - one injection
14 years old (school Year 9)	Tetanus, diphtheria and polio		Td/IPV - one injection
	Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y		MenACWY - one injection
Eligible paediatric age group See annual flu letter	Influenza (each year from September)		LAIV (Live attenuated influenza vaccine • If LAIV is contraindicated o otherwise unsuitable use inactivated flu vaccine (check Green Book chapter 19 for details) - injection or nasal spray

Selective childhood immunisation programmes

Target group	Age and schedule	Disease	Vaccines required
Babies born to mothers with hepatitis B	At birth, 4 weeks if born before 1 July 2024 give additional dose at one year	Hepatitis B	Hepatitis B (Engerix B/HBvaxPRO)
Infants in areas of the country with TB incidence >= 40/100,000	Around 28 days old	Tuberculosis	BCG Check SCID screening outcome before giving BCG
Infants with a parent or grandparent born in a high incidence country	Around 28 days old	Tuberculosis	BCG Check SCID screening outcome before giving BCG
Children in a clinical risk group	Age under 2 years • if first ever flu vaccine give second dose at 4 weeks	Influenza	Inactivated flu vaccine
	Aged 2 to 8 years • if first ever flu vaccine give second dose at 4 weeks		LAIV • if LAIV contraindicated or otherwise unsuitable give inactivated flu
	Aged 9 to17 years • only one dose required each flu season		LAIV • if LAIV contraindicated or otherwise unsuitable give inactivated flu
Pregnant women	At any stage of pregnancy during flu season	Influenza	Inactivated flu vaccine
	From 16 weeks gestation	Pertussis	Tdap (ADACEL)
	From 28 weeks gestation	RSV	RSV vaccine (Abrysvo)

Immunisation during pregnancy

Vaccination during pregnancy helps protect both mother and baby.

Whooping cough (leaflet): helps protect newborns from this serious disease
Influenza: pregnant women are at higher risk from flu complications.
Rubella: learn about risks of rubella during your pregnancy.
Hepatitis B: protect your baby from Hep B with timely vaccination.

Pregnancy webinars

Immunisation for over 65s

Vaccinations play crucial role in protecting older adults from age-related health risks.

Influenza: annual flu vaccines reduce the risk of severe illness.
Shingles: protects against painful and potentially long-lasting shingles infections.

Targeted immunisation programmes

Targeted programmes

BCG (tuberculosis)

Hepatitis B

Includes: Universal hepatitis B programme and hepatitis B vaccine for at risk babies
Resources: Clinical guidelines on hepatitis B

Influenza (flu)

Includes: Children, adults, pregnant women and healthcare workers
Resources: Flu resources for professionals

HPV vaccine

Includes: Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)

Pregnant women

Includes: Flu, pertussis, MMR, hepatitis B and syphilis advice

Shingles

Resources: Factsheet on shingles vaccination

Splenectomy

Includes: MenACWY, pneumococcal, flu
Resources: Factsheet on splenectomy

Travel vaccines (National Travel and Health Network, Travax)