In developed countries like the UK and many others around the world, serious illnesses have been virtually wiped out, thanks to large scale immunisation programs. As a resident of the UK, your child has a right to certain vaccinations for free, and these include:
Mumps
Measles
Rubella
Tuberculosis
Tetanus
Diphtheria
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae B)
Polio
Meningitis C
Since these are the most common childhood diseases, and since some of them can be potentially dangerous or fatal, it’s advisable that every child receives these immunisations. While it’s not illegal not to vaccinate your child, it does put them at a much higher risk of contracting any of these diseases. Your child will be vaccinated throughout early childhood, in the following order:
Mumps
Measles
Rubella
Tuberculosis
Tetanus
Diphtheria
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae B)
Polio
Meningitis C
Since these are the most common childhood diseases, and since some of them can be potentially dangerous or fatal, it’s advisable that every child receives these immunisations. While it’s not illegal not to vaccinate your child, it does put them at a much higher risk of contracting any of these diseases. Your child will be vaccinated throughout early childhood, in the following order:
At two months: your child will receive the first of the ‘5 in 1’ injections (Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib, a bacterial infection that can cause severe pneumonia or meningitis in young children) given as a 5-in-1 single jab known as DTaP/IPV/Hib
Pneumococcal infection
At three months: your child will receive the second of the ‘5 in 1’ injections (5-in-1, second dose (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
Meningitis C
At four months: your child will receive the third dose of the ‘5 in 1’ immunisations (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
Pneumococcal infection, second dose
Meningitis C, second dose
Between 12 and 13 months your child will receive the MMR vaccine (designed to protect against mumps, measles and rubella)
Meningitis C, third dose
Hib, fourth dose (Hib/MenC given as a single jab)
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), given as a single jab
Pneumococcal infection, third dose
At around 3 years and 4 months:
MMR second jab
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio (DtaP/IPV), given as a 4-in-1 pre-school booster
Between the ages of 12-13 years (generally 1st year in secondary schools), girls are immunised against the HPV virus, which can otherwise be a cause of cervical cancer.
Finally, at around 13 to 18 years old, your child should get a polio, tetanus and a diphtheria booster.
Finally, at around 13 to 18 years old, your child should get a polio, tetanus and a diphtheria booster.
There are other vaccinations, including one for chicken pox, and other diseases, however, these are seen as optional. At the very least, however, you should make sure that your child receives his or her vaccinations in accordance with the government programme. After all, as they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
