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Immunisations

You might hear people talk about ‘vaccines’, or ‘immunisations’, or even ‘jabs’ or ‘jags’. While there are differences between them, they all lead to the same thing – a child who is protected from vaccine preventable diseases. 

It’s important to take your child for their vaccination appointments when they’re invited, and not to delay getting your child immunised. Early protection is important because vaccines teach your child’s immune system how to create antibodies that protect them from diseases. It's much safer for your child’s immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them.

If you're pregnant, the best way to protect yourself and your baby from serious disease and illness is to get the recommended vaccines at the right time.  

Why are vaccinations so important?

As children grow up, they can be exposed to infections. Most of these only cause mild illnesses. However, despite great medical advances, some infections can still cause severe illness, disability and, at times, death.

The benefit of immunisation is that your child has the best possible protection against vaccine preventable  diseases.

Once your child is immunised they're also helping to protect the health of the whole community. When enough people are immunised against an infection, it's more difficult for it to be spread to those who aren’t immunised. This is important because children with some severe medical conditions and allergies can't have certain immunisations.

If the thought of taking your child to be vaccinated is worrying you, here are some tips to make your appointment go as smoothly as possible.

How will I know when my child needs immunised?

The thought of getting your baby vaccinated may be stressful – but not as stressful as the thought of your baby getting ill! Diseases can be particularly serious in young babies, so it's important to make sure your wee one is protected as early as possible, to prevent them from catching these diseases.

What immunisations will my baby be offered?

Their first immunisation is offered at 8 weeks old (around 2 months). They'll be offered further doses of these immunisations when they're 12 weeks (around 3 months) and 16 weeks old (around 4 months). You can find out more about these immunisations and why they’re so important on the NHS Inform website.

Your baby will then be offered a further immunisation when they’re between 12 and 13 months old.

These immunisations protect your baby against a wide range of nasty diseases, including polio, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, septicaemia, meningitis, measles, mumps and rubella. Some of these require several doses to build up your child’s immunity. So while it may seem like a lot of vaccinations, they’re all really important for helping keep your baby safe.

What immunisations will my pre-schooler be offered?

When your child is aged around 3 years and 4 months they’ll be offered another round to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella. You can find out more about these immunisations on the NHS Inform website.

How will I know when my child needs immunised?

Your local health board will send you a letter with information about when and how your baby can get their immunisations, but if you have any questions you can find out how to contact your local vaccination service here.

You can find out more about all these immunisations on the NHS Inform website.

Child flu vaccine

Flu can be serious, even for healthy children. Getting the flu vaccine offers the best possible protection. 

The flu vaccine is a quick, painless nasal spray and will just feel like a little tickle up their nose. And it helps prevent your child getting sick with flu and needing time off school or away from their activities.

Visit nhsinform.scot/childflu to find out more.

This short video explains more about what to expect when your child has their flu vaccine.

Primary and secondary school pupils

All primary and secondary school pupils will be offered the flu vaccine at school. So look out for consent forms sent home from school – the forms should be completed and returned to school as soon as you can.

Children aged 2-5

All children aged 2-5 who are not yet in school are being o­ffered the flu vaccine, which will be given as a painless nasal spray. An appointment letter with information about your child’s vaccination appointment will be arriving soon.

Children aged 6 months-2

Some children aged 0-2 will be offered the flu vaccine if they have certain health conditions. If your child is eligible, you’ll be sent a letter from NHS Scotland with details of an appointment or how to book one. You can find out more on the NHS Inform website.

COVID-19 vaccine

Some children may be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine this winter, if they have a condition that means they are at higher risk of COVID-19. For the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccine and to check if your child is eligible, visit the NHS Inform website.

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination

Your child will be offered two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination when they're around 12 months old and then from age 3 years and 4 months.

Currently, parts of the UK and Europe are seeing an increase in the number of people getting measles. So, if your child didn't get the MMR vaccinations when they were little, it's very important to get them vaccinated as soon as possible. 

This is particularly important if:

  • they’re starting in nursery or with a childminder (unless they are too young to have their first and/or second doses) 
  • they’re starting primary or secondary school.

This is because measles is most likely to spread when they start mixing with lots of other children.

You can find out if your child has had their MMR vaccinations by:

The MMR vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles, so if your child has already received two doses you don’t need to take any further action.

But if they haven't, please visit www.nhsinform.scot/MMRagainstmeasles to find out how to get them vaccinated.   

Vaccines for young people aged 11+

Teen rolling up their sleeve to be vaccinated

Teen rolling up their sleeve to be vaccinated

In addition to the flu and COVID-19 vaccines (if they’re eligible for this), your child will be offered some routine immunisations in secondary school. It’s really important that your child gets all the vaccines they’re offered, to protect them from serious and, in some cases, life threatening diseases.

  • The HPV vaccine helps protects against HPV-related cancers, like cervical cancer, head and neck cancer and genital cancers. It also protects against genital warts. Your child will be offered it when they’re in S1. You can find out more about the HPV vaccine here.
  • The DTP vaccine completes the 5 doses required for long-term protection against diphtheria tetanus, and polio. Your child will be offered this when they’re in S3, around 14 years old. 
  • The meningitis ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine helps protect against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). Your child will get this vaccine when they’re in S3.
  • If your child didn’t have two doses of the MMR vaccine (see above) when they were younger, they'll be offered this when they’re in secondary school.

For more information about these vaccines and why they’re so important visit www.nhsinform.scot/vaccinesforyoungpeople.

Do boys need to get the HPV vaccine?

Yes! We often associate the HPV vaccine with preventing cervical cancer, but it also protects from head and neck cancer and cancers of the penis and anus, so it’s just as important that boys get the vaccine too.

How will I know when my child needs immunised?

Vaccines consent packs will be sent home from school. It’s important that you chat to your child about the vaccines offered, sign the consent form and return to school by the deadline provided. If your child misses school on vaccination day, they’ll be able to get the vaccine(s) at a later date. 

Children who are home educated or are not in mainstream school are also eligible for these vaccines. You can an appointment by getting in touch with your local NHS immunisation team. Contact details can be found on the NHS Inform website.

Immunisations during pregnancy

The best way to protect yourself and your baby from serious disease and illness is to get the recommended vaccines at the right time. NHS Scotland recommends that pregnant women should have the COVID-19, flu and whooping cough vaccines. Ask you midwife for more information on how to get your vaccines. You can find out more about the immunisations offered during pregnancy and why they’re so important on the NHS Inform website

The NHS is here for you

It’s important that you go to your GP or hospital if there is anything wrong. Trust your instincts. If you or your child has a health concern, contact your GP surgery or phone 111 for out of hours support, and call 999 if it's an emergency.

Last updated: 11 Dec, 2023