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What vaccines does my child need and when?
A guide to routine childhood vaccines, why the schedule matters, and what to do if your child misses a dose.
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What it is
Vaccines protect your child from serious diseases that can harm or kill infants and children [8]. Babies are born with immune systems that can fight most germs, but they cannot handle some serious diseases on their own [8]. Vaccines strengthen their immune system so they can build immunity without getting sick [8].
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes the vaccine schedule [1]. This schedule lists which vaccines are recommended, how many doses are needed, and at what age they should be given [1]. Following the schedule gives your child’s body the chance to build immunity before being exposed to these very serious diseases [1].
The NHS in the UK has its own schedule. It includes vaccines at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 1 year, and later ages [2]. Examples include the 6-in-1 vaccine, rotavirus vaccine, MenB vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, and MMRV vaccine [2]. The flu vaccine is offered every year to children from age 2 until they finish Year 11 [2]. The HPV vaccine is offered at age 12 to 13 [2]. A teenage booster (Td/IPV) and MenACWY vaccine are given at age 14 [2].
Some children need extra vaccines because of health conditions or risk factors [4][7]. For example, babies born to mothers with hepatitis B may get a hepatitis B vaccine at birth [7]. Children with long-term health conditions may get the flu vaccine every year [7]. Children with a weakened immune system may get the COVID-19 vaccine [7]. Your doctor can tell you if your child needs any of these extra vaccines [4].
Vaccinating your child also protects others [8]. When enough people are vaccinated, it is harder for a disease to spread [8]. This is called “community immunity” [8]. It helps protect people who cannot get vaccines, such as those with weakened immune systems or allergies to vaccine ingredients, and newborn babies who are too young for some vaccines [8].
What you can do at home
- Keep your child’s vaccine appointments at the scheduled times [1][2].
- If you think your child missed a vaccine, contact your doctor or doctor’s surgery to catch up [2][5].
- If you missed a vaccination appointment, contact your doctor’s surgery to book or rearrange it [5].
- Ask your doctor if your child needs any extra vaccines due to health conditions or risk factors [4][7].
Vaccines do not overload the immune system [6]. Every day, a healthy child’s immune system fights off thousands of germs [6]. Vaccines contain weakened or dead germs, so even several vaccines in one day expose your child to a tiny amount of germs compared to what they encounter daily [6].
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
- If you think your child has missed any vaccinations, speak to your doctor’s surgery [5].
- If you have a vaccination appointment but missed it or cannot attend, contact your doctor’s surgery to rearrange [5].
- If your child has a long-term health condition, ask your doctor whether they need extra vaccines like the flu or pneumococcal vaccine [7].
- If your child has a weakened immune system, ask about additional vaccines such as COVID-19 [7].
Common questions
What if my child missed a vaccine? It is best to have vaccines on time, but you can still catch up on most vaccines if you miss them [5]. Contact your GP to arrange a catch-up appointment [2][5].
Do vaccines weaken my child’s immune system? No. Vaccines do not overload the immune system [6]. A healthy child’s immune system fights thousands of germs every day, and vaccines expose them to only a tiny amount of weakened or dead germs [6].
Why do some children get extra vaccines? Some vaccines are only available for groups who need extra protection [4]. This includes children with certain health conditions, such as problems with the spleen, diabetes, or chronic heart conditions [7]. Babies born to mothers with hepatitis B also get extra vaccines [7].
Sources
[1] MedlinePlus — “Childhood Vaccines” (2024), section “When do I need to vaccinate my child?”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/childhoodimmunization.html [2] NHS — “NHS vaccinations and when to have them” (2023), section “NHS vaccinations and when to have them”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/ [4] NHS — “NHS vaccinations and when to have them” (2023), section “Extra vaccines for at-risk people”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/ [5] NHS — “NHS vaccinations and when to have them” (2023), section “Vaccines for young people”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/ [6] MedlinePlus — “Childhood Vaccines” (2024), section “Can vaccines overload my child’s immune system?”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/childhoodimmunization.html [7] NHS — “NHS vaccinations and when to have them” (2023), section “Extra vaccines for at-risk people”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/ [8] MedlinePlus — “Childhood Vaccines” (2024), section “Why do I need to vaccinate my child?”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/childhoodimmunization.html
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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