Vaccines expose the immune system to antigens from a pathogen, triggering an immune response that creates some immunity to that pathogen, reducing the risk and severity of future infections. The UK vaccination schedule is constantly changing. Always look up the latest schedule when giving vaccines.
| Age | Routine Childhood Vaccine Schedule (from Jan 2026) |
| 8 weeks | 6-in-1 (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB):
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B vaccine |
| Meningococcal group B | |
| Rotavirus | |
| 12 weeks | 6-in-1 (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB):
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B vaccine |
| Meningococcal group B | |
| Rotavirus | |
| 16 weeks | 6-in-1 (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB):
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B vaccine |
| Pneumococcal | |
| 12 months | Pneumococcal |
| Meningococcal group B | |
| Measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) | |
| 18 months
Born on or after 1/7/24 |
6-in-1 (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB):
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B vaccine |
| Measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) | |
| 3 years 4 months
Born on or before 31/12/24 |
4-in-1 (dTaP/IPV):
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio |
| Measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) | |
| 3 years 4 months
Born on or after 1/1/25 |
4-in-1 (dTaP/IPV):
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio |
| 12-13 years | HPV |
| 14 years | 3-in-1 (Td/IPV): Tetanus, diphtheria, polio |
| Meningococcal groups A, C, W, and Y | |
| 2 – 16 years annually | Live attenuated influenza (eligible children) |
Types of Vaccine
Inactivated vaccines involve giving an inactive version of the pathogen. They cannot cause an infection and are safe for immunocompromised patients (although they may not have an adequate response). Examples include:
- Inactivated polio vaccine
- Injected influenza vaccine
- Hepatitis A
- Rabies
Subunit and conjugate vaccines contain parts of the pathogen required to stimulate an immune response. They cannot cause infection and are safe for immunocompromised patients. Examples include:
- Pneumococcus
- Meningococcus
- Hepatitis B
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Haemophilus influenza type B
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Shingles (Shingrix)
MRNA vaccines deliver mRNA that codes for specific viral proteins into the body’s cells. The cells translate that mRNA into antigen proteins, which trigger an immune response. Examples include certain COVID-19 vaccines.
Live attenuated vaccines contain a weakened version of the pathogen. They can rarely cause disease, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Examples include:
- Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine: contains all three weakened viruses
- BCG (contains live attenuated Mycobacterium bovis)
- Chickenpox (contains weakened varicella-zoster virus)
- Nasal influenza (not the injected flu vaccine)
- Rotavirus vaccine
Toxoid vaccines contain an inactivated toxin that is normally produced by a pathogen. They cause immunity to the toxin, not the pathogen itself. Examples include:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
Human papillomavirus is spread through sexual activity. The HPV vaccine is ideally given to girls and boys before they become sexually active, so they are protected before they are exposed to this group of viruses. These viruses increase the risk of cancer affecting the cervix, mouth, anus, penis, vulva and vagina. They can also cause genital warts.
The current NHS vaccine is Gardasil 9, which protects against strains 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58.
TOM TIP: A common exam task is to counsel parents about their child receiving the HPV vaccine. They are upset because they believe this implies their daughter or son is sexually promiscuous. Focus on the fact that it needs to be given before they become sexually active and that it protects them from cervical cancer and genital warts. HPV is very common, and infection is the number one risk factor for cervical cancer.
BCG Vaccine for Tuberculosis
The BCG vaccine is offered at around 28 days old to newborns who are at higher risk of tuberculosis, for example, those who live in urban areas with high TB rates or who have close relatives from countries with higher TB prevalence. It may also be given to children arriving from areas of high TB prevalence or in close contact with people who have TB.
MMR and Autism
Andrew Wakefield published a paper in 1998 in The Lancet, where he looked at 12 children with developmental regression and gastrointestinal symptoms. He suggested a possible connection between the MMR vaccine and developmental regression, based on parents’ recollections of events. Subsequent investigations reported serious flaws, ethical breaches, inaccuracies and evidence of fraud. The paper was later retracted by The Lancet, and Wakefield was struck off the UK medical register by the GMC.
Since then, the MMR vaccine has been extensively investigated through more rigorous scientific research and larger sample sizes, including a meta-analysis involving over one million children. Subsequent scientific literature has shown no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.
Post Vaccination Fever
Fever can appear with vaccines. Most common with the MenB vaccine given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 12 months. Fever tends to peak around 6 hours post vaccine but can appear up to 48 hours after the vaccine. Paracetamol can help with symptoms if necessary.
Last updated April 2026
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