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Childhood vaccinations

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Childhood vaccinations

Reviewed by Dr Stuart Crisp, specialist registrar

All children in the UK are offered vaccinations against key diseases as part of the national childhood immunisation schedule.

The most recent changes in September 2006 have seen:

changes to the meningitis C schedule with only two doses, not three given in the first four months

the addition of a booster dose of meningitis C/Hib vaccine at 12 months

the addition of the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against a type of bacteria that can cause meningitis and other serious infections.

Usually, the pneumococcal vaccine will be given at two months, four months and thirteen months of age. There will also be a catch-up campaign for children up to two years who have already started their immunisations. Your GP will contact you to arrange this.

The British immunisation schedule

The vaccination schedule covers the following diseases:

Diphtheria

Tetanus

Whooping cough

Polio

Hib: vaccination against the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type B, which can cause meningitis, pneumonia, blood poisoning and infection of the epiglottis (back of the throat)

Measles

Mumps

Rubella (German measles)

Meningitis C

Pneumococcal: vaccination against the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (known as pneumococcus), which can cause meningitis, pneumonia, severe ear infections (otitis media) and blood poisoning.

The vaccinations at the ages of two months and pre-school (three to five years) are usually combined with a routine medical examination.

At two months

Name of vaccine	How is it given?
Diphtheria + Tetanus + Pertussis + Polio + Hib (Pediacel or Infanrix-IPV+Hib)	One injection
Pneumococcal (Prevenar)	One injection

At three months

Name of vaccine	How is it given?
Diphtheria + Tetanus + Pertussis + Polio + Hib (Pediacel or Infanrix-IPV+Hib)	One injection
Meningitis C (Meningitec, Menjugate or NeisVac-C)	One injection

At four months

Name of vaccine	How is it given?
Diphtheria + Tetanus + Pertussis + Polio + Hib (Pediacel or Infanrix-IPV+Hib)	One injection
Meningitis C (Meningitec, Menjugate or NeisVac-C)	One injection
Pneumococcal (Prevenar)	One injection

Around 12 months

Name of vaccine	How is it given?
Meningitis C + Hib (Menitorix)	One injection

Around 13 months

Name of vaccine	How is it given?
Measles + Mumps + Rubella (MMR II or Priorix)	One injection
Pneumococcal (Prevenar)	One injection

At 3-5 years (usually before child starts school)

Name of vaccine	How is it given?
Diphtheria + Tetanus + Pertussis + Polio (Repevax or Infanrix-IPV)	One injection
Measles + Mumps + Rubella (MMR II or Priorix)	One injection

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