Vaccination information for families

Why are vaccines important?

Vaccines protect you from getting very sick. They teach your body how to fight off dangerous germs.

When lots of people get vaccinated, it helps stop diseases from spreading. This protects people who can't have vaccines, like babies or people with health problems.

Vaccines also help doctors use fewer antibiotics, which keeps medicine working well.

Are vaccines safe?

Vaccination is the safest, most effective way of protecting your child from serious illness.

Vaccines are tested very carefully before people can use them. Scientists check them in labs and with volunteers in clinical trials. In the UK, the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) makes sure vaccines are safe.

After you get a vaccine, you might feel tired, have a sore arm, or get a small fever. These side effects are normal and show your body is learning to protect you. Serious problems are very rare.

Anyone can report a side effect from a vaccine, medicine, or medical device, using the Yellow Card scheme at: https://products.mhra.gov.uk/

What vaccines do children get?

• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (DTaP)
• Polio
• Meningitis B
• HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
• Hep B and Hib (as part of the 6-in1 vaccine)
• Rotavirus
• Pneumococcal

Vaccines are given at different ages. Ask your GP or check the NHS website.

What vaccines do adults get?

• Flu vaccine: every year for people over 65 or with certain health conditions.
• Pneumococcal vaccine: at age 65 or earlier for people with long-term illnesses.
• Shingles vaccine: for people turning 65 from 1st Sept each year (commencing 1 Sept 2023 onwards) and then 70-80 years old up to 81st birthday or younger if their immune system is weak. Individuals aged 66-69 not eligible until they turn 70
• RSV vaccine: for people aged 75 to 79.
• COVID vaccine: offered in spring and autumn.

Should I give Calpol (paracetamol) before my child's vaccination?

No. Do not give Calpol before the appointment. As this can reduce how well the vaccine works. Only give it after the vaccination if needed.

When should I give Calpol (paracetamol) after vaccination?

For most vaccines, only give Calpol if your child has a fever or seems uncomfortable.

Exception: If your baby has the MenB vaccine at 8 or 12 weeks, give Calpol straight after the jab, then two more doses 4–6 hours apart.

Paracetamol is not routinely needed after the Men B booster vaccine given at 12 months of age. By this age the baby’s risk of fever is the same as after other vaccines.

Why is Calpol (paracetamol) needed after the MenB vaccine?

MenB can cause a high fever when given with other vaccines. Calpol helps lower the fever and makes your baby more comfortable. It does not stop the vaccine from working.

Can I give ibuprofen instead of Calpol (paracetamol) after a vaccine?

Yes, sometimes. For most vaccines, you can give ibuprofen if your child is over 3 months (12 weeks) old and weighs more than 5kg. It helps with fever and pain.

But for the MenB vaccine, the NHS recommends to use Calpol (paracetamol) first. Given straight after the jab, then two more doses 4–6 hours apart.

Ibuprofen can be used later if your child still has a fever or pain.

Never give medicine before the vaccine and never give aspirin to children. As with all medicines always check and follow the instructions and never exceed the stated dose.

How will I know my child needs a vaccination?

The NHS or your doctor will send you a letter, text, or email. Sometimes you get a message on the NHS App. These reminders should tell you what vaccine is due and how to book.

Does this include home-schooled children?

Yes. Home-schooled children still get reminders. The local NHS team will contact you by text, email, or letter to book a clinic appointment.

If you are unsure please contact the immunisation team on 0300 555 5055 (choose option 6 for Essex) or email hct.csaismse@nhs.net

Will all my baby's vaccines be given at the same appointment?

Yes. You do not need to book separate visits. Here's what happens:

• 8 weeks: 6-in-1 jab, MenB jab, rotavirus drops
• 12 weeks: 6-in-1 jab, MenB jab, rotavirus drops
• 16 weeks: 6-in-1 jab, pneumococcal jab
• 1 year: MMRV jab, MenB booster, pneumococcal booster
• 18 months: 6-in-1 booster, second MMR jab (for children born after July 2024)

All vaccines for each age group are given in one appointment. If your child is outstanding vaccinations, your practice nurse will arrange for these to be scheduled as appropriate.

What if I don't get a message?

Check your child's Red Book or the NHS website. You can also call your GP or the Community and school age immunisation service (CSAIS) to make sure your child is up to date.

I keep getting messages, but my child is up to date?

Check your child's Red Book or the NHS App. If everything looks correct, call your GP. Sometimes reminders keep coming because:

• Your child's record is not updated
• You have recently moved into the area your GP can fix the record so the messages stop.

Can I choose if my child has the flu vaccine as a nasal spray or an injection?

Most children have the nasal spray because:

• It works really well
• It is quick and painless
• It helps stop flu spreading

Your child will have an injection instead if:

• They cannot have the spray for health reasons (like severe asthma or weak immune system)
• You do not want the spray because it has porcine gelatine

If you prefer the injection for another reason, talk to your GP or school immunisation team. The spray is the first choice because it works best for most children.

What if I missed a vaccine?

Don't worry – you can catch up. Talk to your GP or pharmacist. They'll check which vaccines you need and help you book an appointment.

Children can also catch up through school or community clinics.

Should pregnant women and pregnant people get vaccines?

Yes. Vaccines help protect both mum or birthing parent and baby. During pregnancy, women are offered:

• Flu vaccine: during flu season
• Whooping cough (Pertussis) vaccine: 16 weeks
• RSV vaccine: from 28 weeks
• These vaccines help babies stay safe until they're old enough for their own vaccines.

You can get them at your GP, hospital, or some pharmacies. Vaccines are ideally offered as close to eligible date to maximise protection.

How do I book a vaccine?

• Call your GP or use their online booking system.
• Visit a Pharmacy that offers vaccines.
• Use the NHS National Booking Service (for flu and COVID).
• Attend school vaccination days (for children) or call 0300 555 5055 (choose option 6 for Essex) or email hct.csaismse@nhs.net.
• Go to a community clinic or pop-up event.

Can my child still get vaccinated if we missed an appointment?

Yes. Contact your GP or the Community and School-Aged Immunisation Service (CSAIS). They'll help you book a catch-up appointment.

Call 0300 555 5055 (option 6 for Essex) or email hct.csaismse@nhs.net.

What if my child has a reaction to a vaccine?

Most reactions are mild, like a sore arm or feeling tired. These do not last long. Serious reactions are very rare. If you're worried, call your GP, NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

Do any vaccines contain pork gelatine?

Some vaccines use porcine gelatine to keep them stable. If this is a concern for your family, talk to your GP. There may be other options.

You can also check the UKHSA website.

Do vaccines contain mercury?

No. UK vaccines do not contain thiomersal, a mercury-based ingredient. They are made to be safe and effective.

Do vaccines cause autism?

No. Vaccines do not cause autism.

Many studies have looked into this and found no link. The idea came from a study in 1998 that was proven to be wrong and was removed from publication.

Health experts around the world agree that vaccines are safe. The National Autistic Society supports vaccines and says they help protect people from serious diseases.

Can I get the MMRV vaccines separately?

In the UK, the MMRV vaccine is given as one combined injection.

It protects against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox) all at once. Separate vaccines are not available in the UK for MMR however, varicella is available seperately in some cases.

Please seek advice from your GP or practice nurse for further information.

I have a health condition, weak immune system or take special medicine. Should I still get vaccines?

If you or your child have a health problem, weak immune system or take medicine like chemotherapy, steroids, or other treatments that affect the immune system, it's important to talk to your doctor or health professional about getting vaccines. They will tell you which vaccines you need to make sure you get the right protection in the safest way.

Where can I find more information?

• Visit the NHS vaccination page.
• Ask your GP or pharmacist.
• Look at Mid and South Essex Integrated Care vaccination information page.
• Contact the Southend Public Health Team at 01702 215000 or PublicHealth@southend.gov.uk.

Premature and Newborn Babies

Why is a premature baby offered RSV protection?

Premature babies (born before 36 weeks) have smaller lungs and weaker immune systems.

They are more likely to get very sick from a virus called Respiratory syncytial virus - RSV, which can cause breathing problems like bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
The RSV jab (called nirsevimab) gives ready-made protection for about 6 months and helps stop serious illness and hospital stays.

Why is my premature baby offered an RSV jab if I had the RSV vaccine?

The RSV jab for babies (called nirsevimab) gives ready-made protection against a virus that can cause serious breathing problems.

Even if you had the RSV vaccine when pregnant, your baby might still need this jab because:

• Premature babies (born before 32–36 weeks) may not get enough protection from mum’s vaccine. There wasn’t enough time for the antibodies to pass through the placenta.
• Babies with certain health problems (heart, lungs, immune system) need extra protection.

The RSV jab helps protect your baby for about 5–6 months and lowers the chance of hospital visits by around 80%. It is safe to give even if mum had the RSV vaccine.

More information for babies born premature or sick can be found on the Bliss website

Why is a newborn baby given Vitamin K?

Newborn babies have very low Vitamin K. This vitamin helps blood to clot and stops dangerous bleeding. Without it, babies can get a rare condition called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding, which can cause bleeding in the brain or other parts of the body.

Important: Vitamin K is not a vaccine. It is a vitamin supplement.

How is it given?

• Injection in the leg (most common) – works best and gives full protection quickly.
• By mouth (oral) – given as drops, but your baby needs more than one dose and it may not work as well.

More information can be found here Vitamin K and newborns: what you need to know | NCT

Why do young people need vaccines and boosters?

As you get older, some earlier vaccines wear off, so boosters help top up your protection against illnesses like tetanus, diphtheria and polio.

Others like the HPV vaccine and MenACWY vaccine, are offered in your teens to protect you from infections like meningitis (MenACWY), or HPV which is linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. These illnesses can spread easily in places like schools, colleges, and universities.

If you are starting college or university and you are not sure if you have had all your vaccinations check your status with your GP or through the Community and school age immunisation team (CSAIS).

Which vaccines will I be offered as a teenager and at what ages?

Young people in the UK are offered:

• HPV vaccine – Year 8 (ages 12–13)
• MenACWY vaccine – Year 9 or 10 (ages 13–15)
• Teenage Booster (Td/IPV) – Year 9 (ages 13–14)
• Flu vaccine – every autumn, usually for Years 7–11 (Note: All children and young people in an at risk group are eligible for vaccination)
• MMR catch‑up – available at any age if you missed doses earlier

In general, most routine young‑person vaccines can be given up to age 25, and you can catch up through your GP, Community and school age immunisation team (CSAIS), or ask at your university/college health service.

What if I missed a vaccine at school?

You can still get catch‑up vaccines through Community and school age immunisation teams (CSAIS), your GP, or university health services. It’s important and normal to catch up later if needed to make sure you are protected.

What should I know about the MenB vaccine?

The MenB vaccine protects against meningococcal group B bacteria, which can cause very serious illnesses like meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord) and sepsis (blood poisoning). These illnesses can get worse very fast and can be life‑threatening. Teenagers and young adults are at higher risk because MenB spreads through very close contact, such as sharing drinks, kissing, or living closely in halls or shared housing. Students living in halls, shared accommodation, or starting university may be at increased risk because of their close contact with others.

In the UK, the MenB vaccine is not routinely offered to teenagers for free on the NHS. It is mainly part of the infant vaccination schedule, and there is currently no national catch‑up programme for older children and teens.

However, adolescents may be offered the vaccine during a local outbreak or if they are identified as close contacts of someone with MenB—this has included sixth‑form and university students in recent outbreaks.

If you are offered the MenB vaccine because of a risk or outbreak, you’ll normally be contacted by your school, college, university, or local health protection team. Vaccination may be given at a GP practice, an NHS clinic, or a temporary outbreak vaccination clinic.

If you are not eligible on the NHS, you may choose to get the MenB vaccine privately. Some pharmacies and private clinics offer MenB vaccines for people aged 10 and over, but this is a paid service.

All UK vaccination programmes, including MenB, are regularly reviewed by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to make sure guidance stays accurate and up to date. This means recommendations may change if new evidence becomes available.

What about MenACWY — does it protect from MenB?

No. The MenACWY vaccine protects against four different types of meningococcal bacteria: groups A, C, W, and Y. The MenACWY vaccine is routinely offered in schools Year 9 or 10 (ages 13–15).

MenB is a different strain (group B), so the MenACWY vaccine cannot protect against MenB disease.
This is because each group of meningococcal bacteria has a different outer coat, and vaccines need to be made to match the specific group. MenB has a unique structure, so it requires a separate vaccine.

This is why both MenB and MenACWY are important, but they protect against different types of meningitis.

What are the signs and symptoms of meningitis, and what should you do?

Meningitis symptoms can start suddenly and may become life‑threatening within hours. It’s important to know the signs so you can act fast. Not everyone gets all symptoms, and they can appear in any order. Signs include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Rash
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Extreme tiredness
• Feeling very unwell very quickly

When to get medical help

Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E immediately if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis.

Trust your instincts and do not wait for all the symptoms to appear or until a rash develops – it may not always appear. Someone with meningitis or sepsis can become very unwell very quickly.

If you're not sure if your symptoms are serious, use NHS 111 online or call 111 to find out what to do.

If you've had medical advice and are still worried or any symptoms get worse, get medical help again.

Acting fast can save a life

Might be worth noting that children and young people of all ages who are in at-risk groups are eligible for vaccination.