Vaccinations and immunisations
Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases. They can help to:
- Protect you and your children from many serious and potentially deadly diseases
- Protect other people in your family and community
- Reduce or even get rid of some diseases-if enough people are vaccinated
Since vaccinations were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus are either gone or are now very rarely seen.
You'll be notified when your child’s vaccinations are due and, depending on their age, they may be carried out at your GP practice or your child’s school.
Top tips
- Take your child’s ‘red book’(Personal Child Health Record) to appointments so you can keep track of which vaccinations they’ve had when.
- If you're not sure whether you or your child have had all your routine vaccinations, please check directly with your GP practice.
- It may be possible to catch up with your vaccines later in life.
- Make a note of when your child’s vaccinations are due in your calendar, this way you’ll always know when you need to make an appointment with your GP or when to expect a letter from your child’s school
If your family avoids pork, a MMR vaccine is available that does not contain any pork products. Contact your GP Practice to request this.
The county's school age vaccination and immunisation programme is delivered by Vaccination UK . They have some useful information on their website, including the immunisation schedule along with downloadable school letters, consent forms and information leaflets.
The NHS has a great vaccinations section, which lists all of the different free vaccines offered from 8 weeks to 70 years old. They also cover vaccine risks and benefits, myths, tips and guidance.
NHS vaccinations in pregnancy provides information about vaccines recommended in pregnancy and those to avoid.