Vaccines
The intention of this webpage is to give you information about what vaccinations are, all the vaccinations that are on offer by the NHS for your child and when they are usually administered. This write up is not intended to help you decide whether your child should be vaccinated or not. We at I AM L.I.P are neither pro-vaccinations or anti-vaccinations. That is your choice as the parent.
WHAT IS A VACCINE?
A vaccine is a biological preparation or medicine that once administered stimulates and enables our body’s immune system to fight infections and diseases it has never come across before. In this way you acquire immunisation against a particular disease or infection.
ARE VACCINES MANDATORY IN THE UK?
No they are not.
Parental consent is needed before any vaccine is given to a child under 16 years of age.
HOW ARE VACCINES NORMALLY ADMINISTERED?
Vaccines can be given by an injection into the body, a preparation given orally or a spray up the nose.
WHO INFORMS YOU WHAT VACCINE IS REQUIRED AND WHEN?
Your GP, your health visitor, the nurse at your GP surgery and the school will inform you depending upon the age of your child.
WHERE ARE THE VACCINES THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO YOUR CHILD NOTED DOWN?
They will be in your child’s GP records and also in their personal child health record (PCHR). This health record is also known as the red book and is given to you when your child is born. The GP, nurse or health visitor will write down the details in the red book.
For older children, where a vaccine is administered by a nurse in school you will be sent the vaccination record via email.
POINTERS FOR TAKING YOUR CHILD FOR A VACCINATION
- Arrive at the place where your child is having the vaccine in plenty of time.
- If you are driving to the doctor or clinic avoid making the appointments during rush hour so you and your child do not arrive stressed and flustered.
- Dress your child in loose, easy to remove clothing because the injection may be given in the arm or thigh.
- Keep yourself calm and strong because your child will pick up on your anxiousness.
- Talk to your child about what is going to happen but do not scare them or use adult language.
- Hold your child while they have the vaccine so you can provide comfort. If you cannot ask another member of staff to hold your child.
POINTERS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILD AFTER THE VACCINATION
- Do not leave your GP surgery or clinic where your child had the vaccine until you have relaxed your child and they have stopped crying.
- Be gentle as you handle your child in and out of the car for example because the area where they have had the injection may be saw.
- If your child develops a fever after the vaccine contact your GP, nurse and the NHS on 111 immediately and follow their complete guidance.
WHAT VACCINES ARE OFFERED TO YOUR CHILD AND WHEN?
It is very important that if you intend to give your child a vaccine, they have it at the age when it is scheduled to be given. This will give your child complete protection against the disease. However, if you have missed some vaccines please contact your GP and your GP will arrange for your child to have them.
2 months of age
Your child will be offered the following 3 vaccines
1) First dose of the MenB vaccine
The MenB vaccine protects against meningitis and sepsis. This vaccine is injected into the thigh
2) First dose of the rotavirus vaccine
The rotavirus vaccine protects diarrhoea and vomiting. It is a liquid given in the mouth.
3) First does of the 6 in 1 vaccine
The 6 in 1 vaccine protects against whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib. This vaccine is injected into the thigh
3 months of age
Your child will be offered the following 3 vaccines
1) Second dose of the rotavirus vaccine
The rotavirus vaccine protects diarrhoea and vomiting. It is a liquid given in the mouth.
2) First dose of the PVC vaccine
The PVC vaccine protects against pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis.
3) Second dose of the 6 in 1 vaccine
The 6 in 1 vaccine protects against whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib. This vaccine is injected into the thigh.
4 months of age
Your child will be offered the following 2 vaccines
1) Second dose of the MenB vaccine
The MenB vaccine protects against meningitis and sepsis. This vaccine is injected into the thigh
2) Third dose of the 6 in 1 vaccine
The 6 in 1 vaccine protects against whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib. This vaccine is injected into the thigh
12 months (1 year) of age
Your child will be offered the following 4 vaccines
1) Second dose of the PVC vaccine
The PVC vaccine protects against pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis
2) Third dose of the MenB vaccine
The MenB vaccine protects against meningitis and sepsis. This vaccine is injected into the thigh.
3) First dose of Hib/MenC vaccine
The Hib/MenC vaccine protects against meningitis and sepsis.
4) First dose of the MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
40 months (3 years and 4 months) of age
Your child will be offered the following 2 vaccines
1) Second dose of the MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
2) 4 in 1 school booster
The 4 in 1 booster protects against polio, whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria.
144 – 156 months (12 – 13 years) of age
Your child will be offered the following 1 vaccine
1) HPV vaccine
The HPV vaccine protects against cervical cancer, genital warts, mouth and throat cancer.
168 months (14 years) of age
Your child will be offered the following 2 vaccines
1) MenACWY vaccine
The MenACWY protects against meningitis and septicaemia. If a student has missed this vaccine they should get it before going to university.
2) 3 in 1 teenage booster
The 3 in 1 booster protects against tetanus, diphtheria, polio.
From the age of 2 years to 10 years, all children will be offered a flu vaccine every year.