Baby vaccination schedule for their first year

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.

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.