Changes to Routine Childhood Immunisation Programme

From the 1^st July 2025 there are changes to the routine immunisation schedule. These changes have been implemented by NHS England Screening and Immunisations teams following  extensive research and approval from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and immunisation (JVCI).

Infants born on or after the 1^st July 2025 will follow the new routine schedule as indicated in the table below. The primary course of vaccines (the set of three at 8 weeks, 12weeks and 16weeks) has slightly changed in the timings of the Pneumococcal and Meningitis B vaccines, the remaining vaccines are unchanged.

Additional changes affect children born on or after the 1^st July 2024, whom will now be approaching their first birthday and therefore, their 1year old immunisations. They will continue to be invited for their 1year old immunisations but will no longer receive the Hib/Men C vaccine. At this appointment they will continue to receive MMR, Pneumococcal and Meningitis B vaccines. This group of children will be invited again at 18 months of age for a second MMR and an additional DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB. At 3 years 4 months they will be invited for their preschool booster which consists of dTaP/IPV at this appointment.

Babies should have an 8 week health check with a GP before starting their vaccination programme. Babies should be fit and well at times of their immunisation.

The Child Health Department at NHS England (Wessex) will write advising when babies’ immunisations are due, or please ring the surgery to book an appointment.

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Baby Immunisations are performed by the Practice nurses – please make an appointment at Reception. If you have any queries regarding the immunisations of your baby, please do not hesitate to ask your practice nurse or a health visitor.

When and what immunisations will my baby have?

It’s really important that premature babies still have their vaccinations from 8 weeks old. They may be at higher risk of catching infections if you wait.

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Can I refuse my child’s Immunisations?

Immunisations are not mandatory in the UK and you should be asked for your consent before each vaccination.

However, it’s important to remember that Immunisations will protect your child for many years against a range of serious illnesses.

Without vaccination your child is at greater risk of getting these illnesses. Speak to a Nurse or GP if you have concerns about Immunisations

You can take your baby swimming at any time before and after their immunisations.

It is important that premature infants have their immunisations at the appropriate chronological age, according to the schedule.

The overall aim of the routine childhood immunisation programme is to protect all children against the following preventable childhood infections. We have a skilled team of nurses who administer our immunisations these are done in a clinic with the nurse contact the surgery today to book an appointment.

Every effort should be made to ensure that all children are immunised, even if they are older than the recommended age range. If any course of immunisation is interrupted, it should be resumed and completed as soon as possible.

If you are unsure of the vaccination status of your child, don’t worry, just make an appointment with one of our nurses and we can discuss what immunisations are required.