Baby vaccination schedule for their first year
Read time: 5 minutes
Getting your baby immunised is important as it helps protect them against serious infection and disease. Some vaccines provide immunity that lasts a lifetime, but sometimes to get full protection, the immunity has to be built up gradually through regular repeated doses. The immunisation schedule is designed to give your baby maximum protection1. It should be followed even if your baby is premature, as premature babies have lower immunity than full-term babies2.
Your baby’s first injection3
Soon after your baby is born, you’ll be offered a vitamin K injection for them. This is not actually a vaccine but a high dose of the vitamin, to aid blood-clotting. You can choose to give your baby vitamin K orally, via drops, over a period of days and weeks instead of through injection – or may decide not to give them the supplement at all.
Baby immunisations during the first year
Your baby will be offered these vaccinations4:
At 8 weeks
- Rotavirus.
- Meningococcal group B disease (MenB).
- Pneumococcal disease.
- Their first dose of five-in-one, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
At 12 weeks
- Rotavirus.
- Their second dose of five-in-one.
At 16 weeks
- MenB.
- Pneumococcal disease.
- Their third dose of five-in-one.
At 12 months
- Hib/meningococcal group C (MenC).
- MenB.
- Measles, mumps and rubella.
- Pneumococcal disease.
Travel vaccinations for babies4
If you are planning to travel in their first year, check with your healthcare professional if your baby needs additional immunisation. Some vaccines, like hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera, should be free through the NHS.
Baby care after their vaccination5
Vaccinations can be a little overwhelming for babies and they may cry for a little while after the appointment, but they’ll feel much better after a cuddle.
Some babies may experience minor temporary side effects, including:
- A raised temperature or fever
- Irritability
- Tenderness or redness at the injection site
If your baby gets a fever, you can give them infant paracetamol, but make sure you follow the instructions carefully.
Last reviewed: 24th June 2020
Reviewed by Nutricia’s Medical and Scientific Affairs Team
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