The Importance Of Your Baby’s Vaccinations

Not sure what vaccinations your baby needs, and when?

Not sure why your baby will need vaccines?

Have a read of our brief guide.

Your baby will need their first vaccinations at:

  • 2 months
  • 3 months
  • 4 months
  • 1 year

Here’s a breakdown of the vaccines your new-born will need and when:

Vaccination Age
2 months 3 months 4 months 1 year
Pneumococcal (PCV) X X X
Rotavirus (RV) X X
Meningitis B (MenB) X X X
6-in-1* X X X
Haemophilus influenza type B and Meningitis C (Hib/MenC)
Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR)

 

 X

*6-in-1 vaccine protects against diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), polio, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis)

Appointments

Register for an eRedBook that will allow you to track your newborn’s health and see upcoming appointments so you never miss one – all from your mobile phone or PC.

If you missed any previous appointments or are unsure if your baby is due a vaccine soon, please contact us and we will book you an appointment if you’re due.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I vaccinate my child?

Vaccines are the most efficient way we can prevent children developing illnesses from bacteria and viruses before these bugs get a chance to harm them. The vaccines work by giving the body’s immune system an altered version of the bug. This is safe and if your child is later infected the immune system is ready to mount a response and fight back without making your child seriously ill.

Vaccination also benefits those around your child through ‘herd immunity’. If enough people are vaccinated then infections can’t spread as effectively. This is because each individual’s immune system can fight off the infection before it is allowed to flourish and spread. This will benefit all of our children.

Vaccinations protect you and those around you.

Isn’t it better if I just allow my child to develop their immune system naturally?

The vaccine schedule is designed to give your child’s immune system a boost to prevent serious illnesses at times where they are at high risk. Some infections can be very dangerous, particularly to young babies and children. Measles, for example, has been on the rise recently due to reduced uptake of these vaccines and can suppress the entire immune system and lead to other serious complications like pneumonia and can rarely be fatal.

What about the side effects of vaccines?

Vaccines are rigorously tested to ensure they are safe and effective, especially to be given at the suggested ages. Some minor side effects may arise, but these are usually easily manageable at home, such as mild fever. Serious side effects, like allergic reactions, are very rare indeed but seek emergency help if you are worried.

What do vaccines contain? Do they contain dangerous chemicals?

A lot of information online regarding vaccines is inaccurate or not scientifically verified. Some are concerned about the presence of chemicals like mercury – these are not put in vaccines. The main ingredient of vaccines are a harmless form of bacteria or virus, or a part of these bugs. They have been treated so that they are dead or weakened, therefore making them unable to cause disease in your child but will help your child develop immunity to fight off the disease.

*The information above was compiled by Imperial College Medical Students Shayndhan Sivanathan and Ahmad Hnieno supervised by Dr Kunal Bhayani