Baby and child vaccinations: information for parents

As a parent, it’s understandable to have questions about your baby’s first vaccinations and to want to hear from other parents who’ve experienced taking their child for NHS childhood vaccines. You might be wondering what to expect on the day, how the timings work, how easy appointments are to book, or even about the safety of vaccines.

The NHS assures parents that vaccines have an excellent safety record and help to protect babies and children from serious diseases, alongside others in the community - particularly those who are most vulnerable. Every year, vaccines prevent over 5,000 deaths and more than 100,000 hospital admissions in England alone.

In this guide, we’ll explain why it’s important to take up the vaccines your baby is eligible for and walk you through the up-to-date NHS vaccination schedule. We’ll also answer the most common questions parents have when it comes to baby and child vaccinations - including where to find support if you need it.

How do vaccinations work for babies and children?

Vaccines work by teaching your child’s immune system how to recognise and fight harmful infections without your child getting seriously ill. They do this by helping the immune system create antibodies that protect against disease. 

It’s much safer for your child to develop this protection through vaccination than by catching the infection itself. Once their immune system has learned how to fight it, this protection can last for many years - sometimes even for life. 

Vaccines offer the safest and most effective protection for babies and children. All childhood vaccinations offered by the NHS have been given to millions of children worldwide and have an excellent safety record. The NHS vaccination programme protects children from dangerous diseases like measles, whooping cough and polio.

Once your child is protected, they are much less likely to spread these diseases to others, including babies who are too young for certain vaccines. This is called herd immunity, and it’s one of the main benefits of vaccinations. 

For more on how vaccines work, see the NHS’s comprehensive guide to vaccinations.

Baby and child vaccination schedule

The NHS vaccination schedule has been updated for 2026. Following this timeline helps ensure your child gets the best protection at the right time. Your baby’s first routine vaccinations are usually given at 8, 12 and 16 weeks, and you can contact your GP practice to book these appointments.

NHS vaccinations are free and from January 2026 the schedule also includes the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine. This will be given with the MMR vaccine as a combined vaccine called MMRV. The first dose is given at 12 months, with a second dose at 18 months for children born on or after 1 January 2025 (brought forward from 3 years 4 months).

If the schedule feels confusing - particularly if your child was born around a cut-off date, you’ve moved GP practices, or your child’s missed any vaccinations - you can ask your GP or practice nurse to go through it step by step with you.

What does each baby and child vaccination protect against?

Each vaccine in the NHS vaccine schedule protects your child from a specific disease. Here's a closer look at the key vaccines:

• 6-in-1 vaccine: Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), and hepatitis B. Given in 3 or 4 doses depending on when your child is born.

• Rotavirus vaccine: Protects against rotavirus, which can cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea in young children. Given in 2 doses.

• MenB vaccine: Protects against meningococcal group B bacteria (a cause of meningitis and blood poisoning). Given in 3 doses.

• Pneumococcal vaccine: Protects against infections that can cause pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. Given in 2 doses.

• MMRV vaccine: Replaces the MMR vaccination. Protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). Given in 2 doses.

• Hib/MenC vaccine: Protects against haemophilus influenzae type b and meningococcal group C, which can cause life-threatening illnesses like meningitis. Given to children born before 1 July 2024.

• Children’s flu vaccine: Protects against flu. Given every year as a nasal spray. Offered from September to December.

• 4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine: Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio. Given in 1 dose.

What happens at my baby’s vaccination appointment?

In the days leading up to the appointment, it’s common to feel nervous, especially if these are your baby’s first vaccinations. 

As their parent or legal guardian, you will usually take your baby for their vaccines yourself, but another trusted adult can take them with your written consent. 

It’s helpful to bring your baby’s Red Book if you have it. Allowing a little extra time can help if you have questions or need to settle your baby. 

At the appointment, before your baby is given their vaccination, a nurse or doctor will perform a brief health check to make sure your child is well enough for the vaccine. If your baby has a fever or diarrhoea, the vaccination may need to be postponed.

The nurse or doctor will then administer the vaccine either as an injection, a mouth drop or a nasal spray depending on the vaccine. It’s perfectly natural for babies to cry during or after an injection - it's a very quick process and they should settle down quickly afterwards with plenty of cuddles. Some parents on the Mumsnet forums say this moment can feel emotionally harder than they expected. This is common and doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong.

You may be asked to stay in the practice for around 10 minutes after the vaccine to make sure your baby is OK.                               

For more detailed information about the vaccination process, visit the NHS vaccination tips for parents page.

Are baby vaccinations painful?

It’s common for babies to feel brief discomfort during and after a vaccination. You can soothe them with a cuddle or by offering a feed, which can also help to distract them.

However, the good news is that not all vaccines use a needle. Oral vaccines (like Rotavirus) are painless liquids dropped into your baby’s mouth. Nasal spray vaccines (like some flu vaccines) are sprayed into your baby’s nostrils and are typically painless, although your child might feel a brief, mild tickling sensation.

Mumsnet user Jess13224 says, “[My baby] cried during the injection process for approximately two seconds and was fine after. The only side effect she received was sleepiness for the remainder of the day, however by the next day she was completely back to normal.” 

What are the side effects of baby vaccinations?

It’s understandable if you have concerns or worries about your child’s vaccinations. Knowing what to expect and when to seek advice from your GP surgery can help reduce anxiety, particularly if symptoms appear days or weeks later. 

The good news - most side effects from vaccinations are mild and do not usually last long. These can include:

• Fever (temperature above 37.5°C)

• Irritability

• Soreness or redness at the injection site

• Loss of appetite

• Sleepiness

Serious side effects from vaccinations are very rare, and the vaccination benefits far outweigh the risks of serious harm from the disease itself.

Contact your GP or seek medical advice if your baby has a very high temperature (temperature above 39°C), symptoms that last longer than expected, or if you’re worried for any reason. It’s always OK to ask for reassurance.

Mumsnet user Pomer0l says, “Just be aware the MMR kicks in 6-10 days after vaccination so you may notice fever/rarely rash/grumpiness around then.”

What should I do after my baby has a vaccination?

After your baby’s vaccination, it’s normal for them to feel a little under the weather. Some babies experience mild side effects, such as a fever, irritability or redness at the injection site. To help your baby feel more comfortable:

• Keep them cool and calm: offer extra cuddles and comfort.

• Monitor their temperature: if they develop a fever, dress them in lightweight clothes and make sure they stay hydrated.

• Offer paracetamol if necessary: if recommended by your healthcare provider, you can give your baby infant paracetamol to reduce fever or discomfort. Always check the correct dosage for your child’s age.

Mumsnet user, Sidge, says, “[You may] be told to give your baby 2.5ml of Calpol after the immunisations and two more times after that which will keep [your baby] comfortable and less feverish. Some babies are fine, others are more unsettled. It shouldn’t last too long. Just cuddle, feed and ride it out.”

What are combination vaccines?

Some vaccines, like the 6-in-1 vaccine, protect against multiple diseases with a single injection. Combination vaccines reduce the number of injections your baby needs, making the process more convenient and less stressful for you and your baby. These vaccines have been thoroughly tested to assess how safe and effective they are.

Why is it important that my baby has their vaccinations on time?

The recommended timing of each vaccination is based on when children are most vulnerable to the disease and when their immune system is best able to respond to the vaccine. Sticking to the NHS’s vaccination schedule helps ensure your baby is protected at the right time.

Mumsnet user CarrotJams says, “I understand it can be worrying and confusing and there’s a lot of conflicting and confusing info out there about vaccinations. They really are so important though and will protect your child.”

What happens if a vaccination is missed or delayed?

If you miss a vaccination, don’t worry - you can speak to your GP to arrange a catch-up. In most cases, it’s not too late to catch up on missed vaccines.

Missed vaccinations are very common and can happen for a variety of reasons, including illness, day-to-day logistics or appointment shortages. 

If something is missed, a simple way to get back on track is to:

• Check your child’s Red Book or vaccination record

• Contact your GP practice to confirm what’s due next

• Book a catch-up appointment at a time that works for you

Do my child’s vaccinations need to be repeated?

In some cases, children will need additional doses of a vaccine or full protection. For example, the MMRV vaccine (given at one year) now requires a second dose at 18 months. Four doses of the 6-in-1 vaccine are given at 8, 12, 16 weeks and 18 months to provide long-lasting protection against these 6 diseases.

How can I keep track of my child’s vaccinations?

Your child’s Red Book is a great way to track their vaccinations. The book contains a record of all their immunisations and will help you and your GP keep track of what’s due next.

If you’re unsure what your child has already had - or something seems to be missing - you can ask your GP practice to check your child’s records and explain what should happen next.

Questions parents often want reassurance about

• Is there a link between vaccines and autism? Extensive research shows there is no link between vaccines and autism.

• Is it better for babies to build immunity through infection? Natural infections can be far more dangerous than vaccines. Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases. They prevent millions of deaths worldwide every year.

• Can vaccines overwhelm my baby’s immune system? Babies are exposed to germs every day. Vaccines are designed to protect against multiple diseases without overwhelming your baby’s immune system.      

For more information, check out the NHS guidance on why vaccination is important, the NHS vaccinations schedule, and details on how to book your child’s vaccinations. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to speak to your GP or health visitor.