0 to 5 Years Immunisations
Vaccines are important all year round
Infectious diseases can be very serious in babies and young children.
Your child’s immune system needs extra help to protect against illnesses that can cause them to be very ill, leave them with long-term disabilities or even kill.
That’s why your child is offered free and safe NHS vaccinations. We’ve set out the vaccines your child should have and when.
It’s natural to have questions about your child’s health — and with so much information out there, it can be hard to know what to believe.
- We’ve set out the vaccines your child should have from 0 to 5 years
- We’ve also tackled some of the common vaccine myths to separate fact from fiction so you can make informed choices
You will receive an invitation for the vaccinations from your GP practice. Your child needs to have some vaccinations more than once to make sure they are fully protected.
New for 2026 – protection against chickenpox
The new combined MMRV vaccine will help protect against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox). It will replace the current MMR vaccination.
The number of doses children are given depends on when they were born. Some older children will have already had 1 or 2 doses of the MMR vaccine which also protects against measles, mumps and rubella, but not chickenpox.
Children born after 1 January 2026 will be automatically offered two doses of the MMRV vaccine at 12 months and 18 months.
A catch-up programme will offer one or two doses to older children, depending on their date of birth:
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children born on or after 1 January 2025 one dose at 12 months and one dose at 18 months
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children born between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024 one dose at 18 months and one dose at 3 years and 4 months
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children born between 1 September 2022 and 30 June 2024 one dose at 3 years and 4 months
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children born between 1 January 2020 and 31 August 2022 one dose given sometime between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2028. Your GP will contact you about this nearer the time
The MMR vaccine is still available for older children and adults born on or before 31 December 2019 who were not vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella when they were younger.
Measles – important information
Measles is circulating in Greater Manchester. It can be dangerous. Some people get very sick from measles and can develop pneumonia and meningitis.
Check that you and your family are up to date with your MMR vaccines. This is the best way to protect yourself against measles. It is essential to have two doses of the vaccine. You can catch up at any time. Speak to your GP practice.
More information about measles More information about measlesVaccine myths
Heard concerns from friends, seen something online or just want to double-check the facts?
It is natural to have questions about your child’s health but can be hard to know what to believe.
We tackle some of the most common myths about childhood immunisations. Check the facts so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Always get your vaccine and health information from trusted sources.
Busting vaccine myths Busting vaccine myths6 in 1 (1st dose)
Protects against diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b), polio, tetanus and whooping cough. These are all serious viral or bacterial illnesses that can be dangerous for babies and cause things like chronic liver infection brain injury, hearing loss and paralysis.
Rotavirus (1st dose)
Protects against a highly infectious stomach bug which causes severe diarrhoea vomiting and dehydration. Your child may need to stay in hospital.
MenB (1st dose)
Protects against a form of meningitis that can be very serious if not treated and cause severe brain damage, lead to amputation or even kill.
Myth: my baby can’t cope with so many vaccines
Truth: vaccines use only a tiny portion of the immune system’s capability. Every day children touch, eat and encounter things that give their immune system much more to deal with than a vaccine does.
The facts about more common childhood vaccine myths.
6 in 1 (2nd dose)
Protects against diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b), polio, tetanus and whooping cough. These are all serious viral or bacterial illnesses that can be dangerous for babies and cause things like chronic liver infection brain injury, hearing loss and paralysis.
Rotavirus (2nd dose)
Protects against a highly infectious stomach bug that causes severe diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration. Your child may need to stay in hospital.
MenB (2nd dose)
Protects against a form of meningitis that can be very serious if not treated and cause severe brain damage, lead to amputation or even kill.
6 in 1 (3rd dose)
A single dose of vaccine provides only some protection. Your child needs all doses to be fully protected.
Pneumococcal (1st dose)
Protects from a range of bacterial infections like pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, which can lead to brain damage, hearing loss or even kill.
MMRV (1st dose for children born on or after 1st January 2025)
Protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. These are all highly infectious and can cause long term damage.
Measles can result in deafness, brain damage and blindness. Mumps can cause deafness and infertility
Without the rubella vaccine, children risk spreading the virus to pregnant women, potentially causing miscarriage or birth defects like blindness, deafness and brain damage.
Chicken pox can cause serious complications for some people. It can also reactive in later life as shingles, a painful nerve condition
Pneumococcal (2nd dose)
Protects from a range of bacterial infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis which can lead to brain damage, hearing loss or even kill.
MenB (3rd dose)
Protects against a form of meningitis that can be very serious if not treated and cause severe brain damage.
Myth: measles isn’t serious
Fact: measles can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation and even death. Vaccination helps prevent this.
The facts about more common childhood vaccine myths.
MMRV
- 1st dose for children born 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024
- 2nd dose for children born on or after 1 Jan 2025
Protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. These are all highly infectious and can cause long term damage.
Visit our measles page for more information.
6 in 1 (4th dose for children born on or after 1 July 2024)
A single dose of vaccine provides only some protection. Your child needs all doses to be fully protected.
Born on or before 30 June 2024 – no appointment
Myth: the MMR vaccination causes autism
Truth: there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. This myth stems from a discredited study that has been thoroughly debunked.
The facts about more common childhood vaccine myths.
Flu (every year until the end of Year 11 of secondary school)
Usually given as a quick and painless nasal spray.
Your child can develop serious complications like pneumonia and bronchitis if they catch flu, even if they are otherwise healthy.
Myth: flu is just a bad cold
Fact: Flu is more serious than a cold. It can cause serious illness, especially in young children and people with existing health conditions. Tragically, some children die from flu.
The facts about more common childhood vaccine myths.
4-in-1 pre-school booster
Protects against diphtheria, polio, tetanus, whooping cough. Increases protection ahead of starting school.
These are series conditions that can cause heart failure, paralysis and breathing difficulties.
MMRV
- 2nd dose for children born 1 July 24 to 31 December 24
- 1st dose for children born between 1 September 2022 and 30 June 2024
Visit our measles page for more information.
Myth: single vaccinations work better than one combined vaccination.
Truth: the MMRV vaccine is more effective than single vaccinations. It’s safe to give children several vaccines at a time – and this reduces the number of injections needed.
The facts about more common childhood vaccine myths.
Are your child’s vaccinations up to date?
Check their Red Book or contact your GP practice if you’re not sure. It’s important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but it’s never too late to catch up on missed doses.
Vaccinations and when to have them - NHS website Vaccinations and when to have them - NHS website