🧒 UK Childhood Vaccination Schedule: What Parents Need to Know

Keeping your child healthy starts with protecting them from preventable diseases — and that’s exactly what the UK’s childhood vaccination schedule is designed to do.

If you’re a parent in the UK, this guide breaks down when your child needs which vaccines, why they’re important, and how to stay on track.

💉 Why Vaccines Are So Important

Vaccines help your child’s immune system learn how to fight off specific diseases — without them getting seriously ill. They also help protect people around them, like babies too young to be vaccinated or those with weakened immune systems.

The UK’s vaccination programme, run by the NHS, is one of the most comprehensive and effective in the world — and it’s completely free.

📅 The UK Vaccination Schedule (2024/2025)

Here’s a simple breakdown of when your child will be offered vaccinations, and what each appointment covers:

👶 From Birth to 1 Year

At 8 Weeks:

6-in-1 vaccine (protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, and hepatitis B)
Rotavirus vaccine (oral)
MenB vaccine (meningococcal group B)

At 12 Weeks:

Second dose of the 6-in-1
Second dose of Rotavirus
Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine

At 16 Weeks:

Final 6-in-1 dose
Second MenB vaccine

🧒 Ages 1 to 5

Around 1 Year:

MMR vaccine (first dose – measles, mumps, rubella)
Hib/MenC booster
PCV booster
MenB booster

At 3 Years, 4 Months:

MMR second dose
4-in-1 pre-school booster (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio)

🎒 School-Age Children

Age 12–13 (Year 8):

HPV vaccine (2 doses, protects against cervical cancer and other HPV-related conditions)

Age 14 (Year 9):

3-in-1 teenage booster (tetanus, diphtheria, polio)
MenACWY vaccine (protects against meningitis A, C, W, and Y)

🌬️ Flu & Other Seasonal Vaccines

Each year, children aged 2 to 16 are offered a free flu vaccine, usually as a quick nasal spray. It’s safe, painless, and helps reduce flu outbreaks in schools and communities.

If your child is in a high-risk group, they may also be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine or other boosters, depending on current NHS guidance.

⏱️ What If My Child Misses a Vaccine?

Don’t panic. Catch-up vaccinations are available. Contact your GP practice to reschedule or check what your child may have missed. It’s never too late to get protected.

🛡️ Are Vaccines Safe?

Yes — extremely. UK vaccines are carefully tested and monitored for safety and effectiveness. Most side effects are mild, such as a slight fever or sore arm, and go away within a day or two.

📘 Keep Track with the Red Book

Every child in the UK receives a Red Book (Personal Child Health Record). Use it to record vaccinations and track your child’s health checks. Bring it to every appointment.

✅ Final Tips for Parents

Set reminders for each stage of the schedule
Don’t hesitate to ask your GP or health visitor if you have concerns
Keep your child’s immunisation record up to date

Vaccinations are a small step that make a big difference — protecting your child’s health now and into the future.