When to have vaccinations

Here's a checklist of the vaccines that are routinely offered to everyone in the UK for free on the NHS, and the ages at which they should ideally be given.

If you're not sure whether you or your child have had all your routine vaccinations, ask your GP or practice nurse to find out for you. It may be possible to catch up later in life.

Try to have your vaccinations delivered on time to ensure protection. If you're going to be away from the GP surgery when a vaccination is due, talk to your doctor. It may be possible to arrange to have the vaccination at a different location.

8 weeks

5-in-1 vaccine - this single jab contains vaccines to protect against five separate diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (known as Hib - a bacterial infection that can cause severe pneumonia or meningitis in young children)  

Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine

Rotavirus vaccine

Men B vaccine

12 weeks

5-in-1 vaccine, second dose

Men C vaccine (DISCONTINUED from July 1 2016)

Rotavirus vaccine, second dose

16 weeks

5-in-1 vaccine, third dose

Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine, second dose

Men B vaccine second dose 

One year

Hib/Men C vaccine, given as a single jab containing vaccines against meningitis C (first dose) and Hib (fourth dose)

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, given as a single jab

Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine, third dose

Men B vaccine, third dose 

2-7 years (including children in school years 1, 2 and 3)

Children's flu vaccine (annual)

3 years and 4 months

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, second dose

4-in-1 pre-school booster, given as a single jab containing vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio

12-13 years (girls only)

HPV vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer - two injections given 6-12 months apart

14 years

3-in-1 teenage booster, given as a single jab and contains vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus and polio

Men ACWY vaccine, given as a single jab and contains vaccines against meningitis A, C, W and Y

65 years

Pneumococcal (PPV) vaccine

65 and over

Flu vaccine (every year)

70 years (and 78 and 79 year-olds as a catchup)

Shingles vaccine

Vaccines for special groups

There are some vaccines that aren't routinely available to everyone on the NHS, but that are available for people who fall into certain risk groups, such as vaccines for pregnant women, people with long-term health conditions, and healthcare workers.

Additional vaccines for special groups include:

Travel vaccines

There are some travel vaccines that you should be able to have free on the NHS from your local surgery. These include:

Other travel vaccines, such as yellow fever vaccination, are only available privately. 

Find out more from our section on travel vaccines.

Article provided by NHS Choices

See original on NHS Choices

Record managed by Oxfordshire Family Information Service

Page last reviewed: 17/08/2016

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