Baby immunisations: what all mums should know

Your baby will face quite a few immunisations as they grow: we understand that as parents it can be hard watching them have the jabs so it is so important to remember that each vaccination is important for their growing immune system and to prevent the possibility of getting a serious illness.

Jump to:

• How vaccinations work
• Why they're so important
• Where on the body your baby will have them
• When your baby shouldn't have their vaccinations
• Vaccination timeline

How do vaccinations work?

When you get an infection, your body produces proteins called antibodies to fight it. After an infection you may be immune to that infection for a period of time, which may actually be lifelong.

Depending on the immunisation it may contain part of a virus or bacteria, the whole dead virus or bacteria, or a live but weakened version of the organism that causes the infection. This essentially trains your immune system to recognise that virus or bacteria so that if you get exposed to the infection your immune system will remember and protect you.

Immunisations don’t make you ‘catch’ the infection itself, instead they ensure that your body builds defences against them.

Why is immunisation so important?

“People often think a child doesn’t need immunisations because a disease isn’t prevalent. But it’s not prevalent because we’re vaccinated against it, so few people contract the illness,” explains Dr Miriam Stoppard OBE.

And while we know it's not nice seeing your baby have those jabs, remembering why you're doing it will help you through.

MadeForMums' resident GP, Dr Philippa Kaye, says: "Your baby's immunisations are one of the most important things that you do for your child, ever.

"You are giving them protection against diseases which can be extremely serious and even fatal. Immunisations work.

"They are extremely effective, and although there may be some very short-lived side effects, the immunisations given in the schedule are safe.

"I gave them to all 3 of my children without hesitation and firmly encourage you to do the same.

"If you don't immunise your child, you not only put your own child at risk but mine too – as herd immunity is also required."

Where on their body will my baby have their vaccinations?

"The rotavirus vaccine, given at 8 weeks, is oral – but aside from that, the primary course of immunisations at 2,3 and 4 months of age go into the thighs," Dr Philippa tells us.

"If giving more than 2 vaccines they use both thighs and if 3, as at week 8 and 16 they put 2 on 1 thigh (separated by a gap) and one on the other. At 1 year old you can use the thighs or upper arms."

Are there any occasions when I shouldn't go for planned vaccinations with my baby?

"If your child has a minor cough or cold without a fever you should still give them the vaccines," says Dr Philippa. "If they have a fever you should delay until they are recovered."

You should also delay / speak to your GP:

• if they have had anaphylaxis reaction to a previous vaccine or an ingredient in it
• if they are having a live vaccine, such as the MMRV, and are taking medication which suppresses their immune systems such as chemotherapy.

What should I do about vaccinations if my baby was born prematurely?

Even if your baby was born prematurely you should start the vaccination schedule at 8 weeks of age: ie, 8 weeks since their birthday and not wait until 8 weeks past their due date – as waiting leaves them at risk of these infections.

Vaccination timeline

It is best for your baby to have their immunisations at the correct time, as the earlier they are protected, the better. But there is no need to panic if you delay a jab for a week or you need to have it a few days earlier.

What is important is the order in which your baby has the vaccines, and making sure they have them all.

Here's what they'll have, in order (correct as of January 2026):

8 weeks: vaccinations given

Vaccines given for the FIRST time at 8 weeks are:

• 6-in-1 vaccine – DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB(6 in 1 vaccine). The 6-in-1 single jab protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib, a bacterial infection that can cause severe pneumonia or meningitis in young children) and Hepatitis B.
• Rotavirus vaccine (given orally) – Offers protection against Rotavirus, a common cause of diarrhoea and sickness in babies.
• Meningitis B – Offers protection against infection by meningococcal group B bacteria, which can cause meningitis and sepsis, which can then lead to brain damage, amputation and even death.

12 weeks: vaccinations given

• 6-in-1 vaccine – 2nd dose
• Rotavirus vaccine – 2nd dose
• Meningitis B vaccine – 2nd dose

16 weeks: vaccinations given

• 6-in-1 vaccine – 3rd dose
• Pneumococcal or pneumo jab (PCV) – 1^st dose. Offers protection against Pneumococcal infection, a bacterium that can cause meningitis, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and pneumonia.

1 year: vaccinations given

• Pneumococcal – 2^nd dose
• MMRV – 1st dose. Protects against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox).
• MenB – 3^rd dose

18 months old: vaccinations given

If your baby was born ON or BEFORE 30th June 2024

No vaccinations given

If your baby was born ON or AFTER 1^st July 2024

• 6 in 1 vaccine – 4^th dose
• MMRV – 2nd dose

2 years: vaccinations given

Flu vaccine

This is given as a nasal spray in September/October to all children from 2 to 8 years.

3 years and 4 months: vaccinations given

4 in 1 pre-school booster – Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio.

If your baby was born ON or BEFORE 31st December 2024 the 2^nd dose of MMRV is also given.

Information about the free chickenpox vaccine rollout for children under 6 years of age introduced in January 2026.

• If your child was born after 1 January 2025
  They’ll be offered 2 doses, at 12 months and 18 months
• If your child was born 1 July 2024 – 31 December 2024
  They’ll be offered 2 doses: one at 18 months and another at 3 years 4 months
• If your child was born 1 September 2022 – 30 June 2024
  They’ll be offered 1 dose at 3 years 4 months
• If your child was born 1 January 2020 – 31 August 2022
  They’ll be offered 1 dose later in 2026

Children aged 6 or over by the end of 2025 aren’t included, as most will have already had chickenpox.

Optional immunisations

These jabs are offered on the NHS to 'at risk' babies and children.

From birth: optional vaccinations given

1. BCG

This protects agains tuberculosis (TB). Babies and children who have a higher risk of coming into contact with it should have it, often depending on where they live.

2. Hepatitis B

This is given to babies born to a mother with hepatitis B, at birth then again at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks and 1 year.

6 months: optional vaccinations given

Flu

While all children get the flu vaccine between 2 and 8 years, those aged 6 months to 2 years who have certain medical conditions or a weakened immune system need a flu jab sooner.

In this case, rather than being given as a nasal spray, it is given as an injection, every year in September/November.

Pics: Getty

Read more:

• Find out how to cope with your baby's jabs
• What to expect after your baby's injections
• Sespis in babies and children - the key signs to spot
• Chickenpox and other childhood illnesses

Last updated: January 2026