Here’s a checklist of the vaccines that are routinely offered to everyone in the UK for free on the NHS, and the ages at which they should ideally be given.
If you’re not sure whether you or your child have had all your routine vaccinations, ask your GP or practice nurse to find out for you. It may be possible to catch up later in life.
Try to have your vaccinations delivered on time to ensure protection. If you’re going to be away from the GP surgery when a vaccination is due, talk to your doctor. It may be possible to arrange to have the vaccination at a different location.
8 weeks
- 5-in-1 vaccine – this single jab contains vaccines to protect against five separate diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (known as Hib – a bacterial infection that can cause severe pneumonia or meningitis in young children)
- Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine
- Rotavirus vaccine
- Meningitis B vaccine
12 weeks
- 5-in-1 vaccine (second dose)
- Meningitis C vaccine (DISCONTINUED from July 1 2016)
- Rotavirus vaccine (second dose)
16 weeks
- 5-in-1 vaccine (third dose)
- Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine (second dose)
- Meningitis B vaccine (second dose)
One year
- Haemophilus influenzae B (Hib) and Meningitis C vaccine – given as a single jab containing meningitis C (first dose) and Hib (fourth dose)
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine – given as a single jab
- Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine (third dose)
- Meningitis B vaccine (third dose)
2-6 years (including children in school years 1 and 2)
- Children’s flu vaccine (annual)
3 years and 4 months
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine (second dose)
- 4-in-1 pre-school booster – given as a single jab containing vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio
12-13 years (girls only)
- HPV vaccine – protects against cervical cancer (two injections given 6-12 months apart)
14 years
- 3-in-1 teenage booster – given as a single jab and contains vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus and polio
- Men ACWY vaccine
65 years
65 and over
- Flu vaccine (every year)
70 years (and 78 and 79 year-olds as a catchup)
Vaccines for special groups
There are some vaccines that aren’t routinely available to everyone on the NHS, but that are available for people who fall into certain risk groups, such as vaccines for pregnant women, people with long-term health conditions, and healthcare workers.
Additional vaccines for special groups include:
- flu jab for pregnant women
- whooping cough vaccine for pregnant women
- flu vaccine for people with long-term health conditions
- hepatitis B vaccination
- TB vaccination
- chickenpox vaccination
- Men ACWY for first-time university entrants
Travel vaccines
There are some travel vaccines that you should be able to have free on the NHS from your local surgery. These include:
Other travel vaccines, such as yellow fever vaccination, are only available privately.