Help your child stay safe with vaccinations

Before primary school

At three years and four months, your child will be offered pre-school vaccinations. These consist of one vaccination offering protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio and one offering protection against measles, mumps and German measles (rubella). These are safe to be
given together. There is no upper age limit on these vaccines, so if your child has missed either of them, please contact your GP practice.

Vaccinations are safe and important as they strengthen your child's immunity to help them fight disease and infection as they begin school.

If your child has not received these immunisations yet, they can catch up. You can contact your GP practice to check your child's immunisation history
and to book an appointment, if necessary.

At primary school

From September, all primary school children are also offered the nasal flu vaccine by the School Aged Immunisation Service - it is important for them to be vaccinated against flu as it is an unpleasant illness and can lead to further serious problems, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

If you have a primary school-aged child who has a long-term health condition, they may also be eligible for a flu vaccine at their GP practice.

If your child is unable to have the nasal flu vaccination, due to pork (porcine) gelatine, then an injectable vaccine is available.

Flu

All primary school children are eligible for a free flu vaccination, along with children at secondary school and those aged two and three.

MMR

Children should have been vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) before they started primary school. If they've not had two doses, you can ask your GP practice.