Infant vaccination series: the NHS schedule for babies under 1 year

The NHS vaccination schedule lists the vaccines for babies under 1 year old as below. The NHS says it is important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but that if a vaccine is missed you should contact your GP to catch up. Your GP surgery usually contacts you about your baby’s vaccinations by letter, text, phone call or email.

The NHS says the 6-in-1 vaccine helps protect children against 6 serious illnesses: diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), polio, tetanus and whooping cough. Children have 4 doses as part of the schedule: at 8, 12 and 16 weeks, and at 18 months for children born on or after 1 July 2024.

If your child has missed their 6-in-1 vaccinations the NHS says to contact the GP surgery, and they can still have the vaccine up to the age of 10. Most children can have it; the only reasons they cannot are a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose or an ingredient. If a child has a condition affecting the brain, such as epilepsy, the NHS advises speaking to a doctor, nurse or health visitor before they have it.

Common side effects include swelling or pain where the injection was given, a high temperature, tiredness, loss of appetite, being sick or diarrhoea, and irritability, and children’s paracetamol can ease symptoms. The NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if a baby under 3 months has a temperature of 38°C or higher, or one aged 3 to 6 months has a temperature of 39°C or higher, or if you are worried.

Rotavirus is an infection that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. The NHS says it is very common, especially in babies and young children, and that although most children get better in a few days, some become very dehydrated and need treatment in hospital and, very rarely, it can be life-threatening. It spreads very easily.

Babies are given 2 doses, at 8 and 12 weeks old. The NHS says the first dose can still be given up to 15 weeks old and the second up to 24 weeks old if missed. The vaccine is a liquid squirted into the baby’s mouth, and if the baby spits it out straight away another dose is given. The most common side effects are diarrhoea and irritability, and there is a very small risk of bowel blockage (intussusception) in the week after being vaccinated, so parents are told to seek urgent advice for signs such as persistent vomiting, blood in the poo or redcurrant-jelly-like poo, a swollen or painful tummy, or stopping feeding.

The NHS says the MenB vaccine helps protect against meningococcal group B bacteria, which can cause meningitis, septicaemia and sepsis. Children are offered 3 doses, at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 1 year, with other routine vaccines, and can still have it up to the age of 2 if they missed it.

Fever is a particular consideration. The NHS recommends giving a baby 3 doses of children’s paracetamol after the MenB vaccinations at 8 and 12 weeks to help prevent or treat a high temperature: the first as soon as possible after being vaccinated, the second 4 to 6 hours later and the third 4 to 6 hours after that, leaving at least 4 hours between doses and not more than 4 doses in 24 hours. It says to seek advice if a child still has a high temperature more than 48 hours after vaccination.

The NHS schedule lists the first dose of the pneumococcal vaccine at 16 weeks and the second at 1 year. The NHS vaccinations hub describes it as a vaccine for people at higher risk of pneumococcal infections, such as babies and adults aged 65 and over. The routine infant doses are part of the programme described on the NHS schedule page, and your GP surgery will arrange them.

The NHS says serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are very rare and usually happen within minutes, and that the person who vaccinates your child is trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately. If a baby has a high temperature the vaccine is delayed until they feel better, but a baby who is unwell without a high temperature may still be able to have it, which is worth checking with a doctor, nurse or health visitor.

For rotavirus vaccine specifically, the NHS lists conditions where it is not given, including a previous serious allergic reaction, severe combined immunodeficiency, a past bowel blockage or higher risk of intussusception, and certain rare sugar-intolerance conditions, and it says if the mother took biological medicines during pregnancy or breastfeeding the baby may not be able to have it. Speak to your GP surgery if you are not sure.

The NHS says babies can have the rotavirus vaccine at the same time as other vaccines and can feed and do usual activities, including swimming, afterwards. For a few weeks after being vaccinated the baby’s poo may contain a weakened version of rotavirus, so it is a good idea to keep washing your hands regularly, especially after changing nappies.

If you have not been contacted about your baby’s vaccinations, or you need to change an appointment, the NHS says to speak to your GP surgery, which can arrange a new appointment.