Vaccinations for baby: first year

What we know

Vaccines are one of the best ways of protecting your baby against infectious diseases and preventing the spread to other children. It is important babies are protected as early as possible.

The NHS’s child immunisation programme is free for all babies and covers diseases such as measles, rubella, tetanus and meningitis.

Your baby will be given these at eight weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks and one year at your GP surgery.

You will be given a Red Book when your baby is born which should be taken to all appointments as it will contain a record of all of the jabs your baby has had and will tell you when the next is due.

Obviously these injections will not be enjoyable for your baby and you may also find it hard seeing them in pain. However, they are safe and should only cause mild side effects such as restlessness or irritability.

BCG

In some parts of England babies are given the BCG when they are born which protects against tuberculosis (TB).

TB is very rare and your hospital will tell you at your baby’s birth if the vaccine is recommended. It will depend on the prevalence of the disease in your local area. A baby may also be given it if they have a parent or grandparent who was born in a country where there is a high rate of TB.

It is given in the upper left arm and usually leaves a little scar.

Eight weeks

Your baby will receive the 6-in-1 vaccine at this age which protects against diphtheria, hepatitis B, polio, Hib (haemophilus influenza type b), tetanus and whooping cough.

The meningitis B (MenB) vaccine is also given, which protects against meningococcal infections which can be very serious.

This vaccine can give your baby a high fever (over 37.5C) and it is recommended that you give your baby paracetamol straight after they receive the jab. Ask the nurse for more information about the dose and how often to give it.

These injections are usually given in your baby’s upper thighs.

Finally, your baby will also receive an oral immunisation for rotavirus - a highly infectious stomach bug - which is squirted straight into their mouth.

12 weeks

At this stage your baby will receive a second dose of the 6-in-1 and rotavirus vaccines. They will also be given the PCV (pneumococcal) vaccine which protects against pneumonia and other infections such as septicaemia and meningitis.

16 weeks

At 16 weeks your baby will receive a third dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine. They will also receive a second dose of MenB.

One year

Soon after your baby has turned one they will need to receive some more doses of the jabs they have already had, plus the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.

They will be given the Hib and MenC as a combined single jab - this will be the first dose of meningitis C and fourth of Hib.

They will also receive the second dose of PCV and a third dose of MenB.

What if I miss an appointment?

If your baby is ill with a fever you will be advised to wait until they are well again before having their jabs. Make another appointment as soon as you can - rotavirus can only be started in babies up to 15 weeks and no later than 24 weeks.

What if my baby was premature?

Babies born prematurely may be at greater risk of infection. They should be immunised in line with the NHS schedule, from eight weeks, no matter how premature they were.

More information

If you have any questions about the vaccines speak to your GP or go to the NHS website.

There are no alternatives to having these vaccinations and every child should be protected from serious diseases which could be fatal.