Recommended Vaccinations for Children and Their Timeline

NHS Vaccination Schedule: Protecting the UK Population

The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK offers a comprehensive vaccination schedule for children, teenagers, and adults, providing long-term protection against a range of serious illnesses.

Infancy and Early Childhood

At eight weeks, babies are recommended to receive the 6-in-1 vaccine, rotavirus vaccine, and MenB vaccine. A second dose of all three vaccines is administered again at 12 weeks old. At one year, the NHS recommends the first MMR vaccine, which provides long-term protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Toddlerhood

The 4-in-1 school booster vaccine is offered at three years and four months old. At this age, a second dose of MMR is recommended for children born on or before 30 June 2024. As of January 2026, babies aged between 12 and 18 months will also get the varicella vaccine, which protects against chickenpox.

School Age

From 12 to 13, teenagers are offered the HPV vaccine. At 16 weeks, the NHS recommends a third dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine and the Pneumococcal vaccine.

Adolescence and Early Adulthood

At 14 years old, the NHS recommends the Td/IPV vaccine (3-in-1 teenage booster) and the MenACWY vaccine. For those born after July 1, 2024, when they reach 18 months old, they are offered a fourth dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine and a second MMR vaccine.

Adulthood

The NHS offers the flu vaccine every year to those aged 65 and over, and to those with certain long-term health conditions from the age of six months to 17 years. Pregnant women are recommended to have a flu vaccine during flu season, a whooping cough vaccine at 20 weeks pregnant, and an RSV vaccine at 28 weeks pregnant.

Senior Citizens

For 75 to 79-year-olds, the RSV vaccine is recommended. Those who turned 65 on or after 1 September 2023, and those aged 70-79, are offered the shingles vaccine. People aged 75 and over are also offered the COVID-19 vaccine.

Changes in the Vaccination Schedule

As of July 1, 2024, the Hib/MenC vaccine, which protects against hib and meningitis C, will be discontinued. Children born after this date will receive the MenACWY vaccine according to the updated vaccination schedule recommended by the STIKO (Standing Committee on Vaccination) in Germany, extending MenACWY vaccination to broader groups beyond risk groups.

The Importance of Immunisations

The NHS states that immunisations are the best defence against potentially serious illnesses. These vaccines play a crucial role in maintaining the health and wellbeing of the UK population.