Baby vaccinations and immunisations: everything you need to know

Your baby’s immunity starts to build during pregnancy, as your antibodies are passed through the placenta². Breastfeeding continues this important process, but the protective effect from your antibodies is only short-lived. This ‘passive immunity’ gives your baby a fantastic start but will not protect them against serious illness over the long term³. To be protected they need to start creating their own antibodies; this is called ‘active immunity’³. Babies born prematurely or by caesarean can have a lower ‘passive immunity’, making vaccination even more critical⁴.

Vaccinations help your baby to build up lifelong immunity by enabling their body to create its own antibodies against specific serious diseases or infections. Vaccines give your baby small, manageable doses of the bacteria or virus it will protect them against. This stimulates their immune system, teaching it how to fight off the illness in the future.⁵

Your baby’s immunisations are given on a schedule that starts when they are eight weeks old and continues at defined intervals throughout their childhood⁸. This schedule is important because it delivers the right dose for your baby’s age and ensures there are no gaps in their protection. Your doctor’s surgery or health clinic will send you your baby’s appointments automatically. These vaccinations are free through the NHS in the UK.

Vaccines are given as single or combined dose injections and administered orally as drops, or through nasal sprays⁶. Injections will usually be given into your baby’s thigh and then into their upper arm once they are a year old⁶. 

Single-dose vaccines include meningitis B (MenB), rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccine (PCV)⁶. Rotavirus is given orally using a dropper7. Flu vaccines, which are delivered through a nasal spray, will be offered to your baby when they are two years old⁸.
Combined vaccinations include: DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB. This stands for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B. Also known as the ‘6-in-1’ vaccine, it is given in one injection⁶.

Your healthcare professional will check that your baby is well before proceeding with the vaccinations. Be sure to let them know if your baby has a fever, diarrhoea or has been ill, as they may decide to delay for a few days.

You may have to remove your baby’s clothing, so dress them in clothes that are easy to take on and off⁹. 

You will be able to cuddle your baby on your lap during the appointment but be prepared for some crying after injections. Remember, it’ll be over very quickly. They’ll soon forget all about it and you are building up their immunity to protect them.

If you are calm and positive, your baby will feel reassured. Take a favourite toy or treat with you to distract them. Some health centres give stickers and certificates for bravery to older babies and toddlers too.

All vaccines are thoroughly tested and go through rigorous licensing checks before they are brought to the market. Serious side effects are extremely rare, and your baby is far more likely to get ill from a preventable disease than from the vaccine⁵.

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. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully⁹.

It’s easy to think that some diseases are so rare that your baby doesn’t need to be vaccinated against them, but this rarity is the positive result of national immunisation programmes⁵. It only takes one outbreak in unvaccinated babies for a disease to make a comeback⁵. Your grandparents may remember when some of these deadly illnesses were commonplace. But ultimately, vaccination is the parent’s choice. If you have any questions or doubts, talk to your GP or healthcare professional before your baby’s first appointment.