Vaccinations are the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health. They prevent millions of deaths worldwide every year.
Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either gone or are now very rarely seen.
Other diseases like measles and diphtheria have reduced to a very low number of cases each year since vaccines were introduced. These cases are often related to travel.
However, if people stop having vaccines, it’s possible for infectious diseases to quickly spread again.
If you have any questions or concerns about vaccinating your child please book an appointment with our practices nurses who will be able to answer any questions you may have.
Important: Be aware of anti-vaccine stories
Anti-vaccine stories are often spread online through social media and offline.
Always get your vaccine and health information from trusted sources, such as the NHS or World Health Organisation (WHO).
The vaccine information on social media may not be based on scientific evidence and could put your child at risk of a serious illness.
All the current evidence tells us that getting vaccinated is safer than not getting vaccinated.
There are two changes forthcoming in the childhood vaccinations schedule, one will take place from 1st July 2025 and the other from January 2026.
From 1st July 2025:
- the meningococcal B vaccine, previously offered at 8 and 16 weeks will be offered at 8 and 12 weeks of age.
- the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) previously offered at 12 weeks of age will be offered at 16 weeks of age.
- cessation of routine Hib/Men C (Menitorix) for children turning one on or after 1 July 2025
- cessation of monovalent hepatitis B dose offered at one year in selective neonatal Hep B programme
From 1st January 2026:
- introduction of an additional fourth dose of DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB at a new 18-month appointment
- Second MMR dose will be moved from 3 years 4 months to 18 months.