The more you know about your pregnancy and your options, the more you are likely to feel in control. The information given here is based on The Pregnancy Book, which your midwife should give you at your first appointment.
Before you are pregnant
Your pregnancy and labour
You and your baby
General pregnancy topics
Children's Immunisation Schedule
Here's a checklist of the vaccines that are routinely offered to everyone in the UK for free on the NHS, and the age at which you should ideally have them.
Routine childhood immunisations
When to immunise | Diseases protected against | Vaccine given | Site** |
| Two months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) | DTaP/IPV/Hib (Pediacel) | Thigh |
| Pneumococcal disease | PCV (Prevenar 13) | Thigh |
| Rotavirus | Rotavirus (Rotarix) | By mouth |
| Meningococcal group B (MenB) | MenB | Left thigh |
| Three months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib | DTaP/IPV/Hib (Pediacel) | Thigh |
| Meningococcal group C disease (MenC) | Men C (NeisVac-C or Menjugate) | Thigh |
| Rotavirus | Rotavirus (Rotarix) | By mouth |
| Four months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib | DTaP/IPV/Hib (Pediacel) | Thigh |
| Pneumococcal disease | PCV (Prevenar 13) | Thigh |
| Meningococcal group B (MenB) | Men B | Left thigh |
| One year old | Hib/MenC | Hib/MenC (Menitorix) | Upper arm/thigh |
| Pneumococcal disease | PCV (Prevenar 13) | Upper arm/thigh |
| Measles, mumpsand rubella (German measles) | MMR(Priorix or MMR VaxPRO) | Upper arm/thigh |
| MenB | MenB booster | Left thigh |
Two to six years old
(including children in
school years 1 and 2) | Influenza (each year from September) | Live attenuated influenza
vaccine LAIV4 | Both nostrils |
| Three years four months old or soon after | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio | dTaP/IPV (Repevax) or DTaP/IPV(Infanrix-IPV) | Upper arm |
| Measles, mumpsand rubella | MMR (Priorix or MMR VaxPRO)(check first dose has been given) | Upper arm |
Please note
** Where two or more injections are required at once, these should ideally be given in different limbs. Where this is not possible, injections in the same limb should be given 2.5cm apart.
Immunisations for at-risk children
| Target Group | Age & Schedule | Disease | Vaccines required |
Babies born to hepatitis B infected
mothers | At birth, four weeks, eight weeks
and Boost at one year1 | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B vaccine
(Engerix B / HBvaxPRO) |
Infants in areas of the country with
TB incidence >= 40/100,000 | At birth | Tuberculosis | BCG |
Infants with a parent or grandparent
born in a high incidence country | At birth | Tuberculosis | BCG |
Childrens Health
There is a good guide on the NHS website which describes various conditions affecting children. There is advice on how to diagnose them, how to treat them and if further advice should be consulted.
NHS childhood illness slideshow
Routine childhood immunisations
| Girls aged 12 to 13 years old | Cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 (and genital warts caused by types 6 and 11) | HPV (two doses 6-12 months) | Upper arm |
| 14 years old (school year 9) | Tetanus, diphtheria and polio | Td/IPV (Revaxis), and check MMR status | Upper arm |
Meningococcal groups A, C, W
and Y disease | MenACWY | Upper arm |
Please note
** Where two or more injections are required at once, these should ideally be given in different limbs. Where this is not possible, injections in the same limb should be given 2.5cm apart.
When Should I Worry?
Having an ill child can be a very scary experience for parents. If you understand more about the illness it can help you to feel more in control. This booklet is for parents (and older children) and deals with common infections in children who are normally healthy.
Download the booklet
There is a good guide on the NHS website which describes various conditions affecting children. There is advice on how to diagnose them, how to treat them and if further advice should be consulted.
NHS childhood illness slideshow
Fevers
Most symptoms of a fever in young children can be managed at home with infant paracetamol. If the fever is very high, they may have an infection that needs treating with antibiotics.
Head Lice
Head lice are insects that live on the scalp and neck. They may make your head feel itchy. Although head lice may be embarrassing and sometimes uncomfortable, they don't usually cause illness. However, they won't clear up on their own and you need to treat them promptly
Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds (also known as epistaxis) are fairly common, especially in children, and can generally be easily treated.
NHS Conditions and Treatments
See the NHS Conditions and Treatments browser for an in-depth description of many common health issues.
These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice