Vaccines prevent 5000 deaths per year in England and can protect against diseases that can cause hospitalisation or life long disability. It is important to protect our children and young people against a number of dangerous infectious diseases.
Why do we still need vaccines if diseases are rare?
These diseases are rare because vaccination rates have historically been high. When uptake drops, infections spread more easily, and outbreaks occur.
Vaccinations protect your child
If your chlid in in secondary school and has missed a vaccination book an appointment to come along to one of our sessions call the Liverpool Immunisation Team on 0151 295 3833.
| Saturday 18 April 2026 | Townsend Lane Neighbourhood Health Centre, 98 Townsend Lane, L6 0BB |
| Friday 29 May 2026 | Townsend Lane Neighbourhood Health Centre, 98 Townsend Lane, L6 0BB |
| Saturday 27 June 2026 | Princes Park, Bentley Road, Princes Park, L8 0SY |
It is important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but it is possible to catch up if a child has missed a vaccine.
Check your child’s red book or contact your GP to check that their child’s vaccines are up to date.
Routine childhood immunisation schedule
This section has been updated to reflect the MMRV programme and the new 18 month appointment.
More information about the changes to the childhood vaccination schedule is available in the UKHSA blog: Changes to the childhood vaccination schedule from January 2026
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Age |
Vaccines |
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8 weeks
|
6-in-1 vaccine (1st dose) |
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12 weeks
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6-in-1 vaccine (2nd dose) MenB vaccine (2nd dose)* moved from 16 weeks Rotavirus vaccine (2nd dose) |
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16 weeks
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Pneumococcal vaccine* moved from 12 weeks 6-in-1 vaccine (3rd dose) |
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1 year
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MMRV vaccine (1st dose for children born on or after 1 January 2025). Children born before 1 January 2025 should have already received one dose of MMR at one year Pneumococcal vaccine (2nd dose) MenB vaccine (3rd dose) Hib/MenC or 6-in-1 vaccine* for children born before 1 July 2024. Vaccine given will depend on vaccine availability |
|
1 year and 6 months (18 months)*
|
6-in-1 vaccine (4th dose for children born on or after 1 July 2024) MMRV vaccine (2nd dose for children born on or after 1 January 2025). Children born from 1 July to 31 December 2024 will receive their 1st dose of the MMRV vaccine. |
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2 to 15 years
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Children's flu vaccine (every year until children finish Year 11 of secondary school) |
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3 years and 4 months
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4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine |
Adolescent vaccination programme (delivered in schools)
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Age |
Vaccines |
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12 to 13 years |
|
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14 years
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Extra vaccines for at-risk people
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At risk group |
Vaccines |
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Babies born to mothers who have hepatitis B |
Hepatitis B vaccine at birth, 4 weeks and 12 months* for children born before 30 June 2024. For children born on or after 1 July 2024, all children will be offered a 4th dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine at the new 18 month routine vaccination appointment. |
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Children born in areas of the country where there are high numbers of TB cases |
BCG tuberculosis (TB) vaccine at 28 days |
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Children whose parents or grandparents were born in a country with many cases of TB |
BCG tuberculosis (TB) vaccine at 28 days |
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Children 6 months to 17 years old with long-term health conditions |
Children's flu vaccine every year |
Who we vaccinate
The service delivers school aged vaccinations and works across primary, secondary, special and independent schools to help our children stay strong and get vaccinated. We also support home educated children or those not in school.
Consent for vaccinations
This is needed from parents - so when your child starts or transfers school please make sure your school has your most up to date email address and mobile telephone number, so that you receive the link to your child's consent form.
Childhood infections like measles and whooping cough spread easily.
The childhood vaccination programme is estimated to prevent around 5,000 deaths every year in England.
Vaccinations have ensured the UK has been declared free of diseases such as polio, with others, like diphtheria, almost fully controlled. However, in recent years we have seen a trend of lower vaccine uptake, and this has been exacerbated by the pandemic.
England no longer has the high levels of population immunity recommended by the World Health Organisation for highly infectious diseases like measles to be eliminated (95%), and this has led to increased risk for those who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.
Preventable childhood infections can have a huge impact on a child’s life: they can miss out on education due to time spent unwell, be hospitalised, and have life-long complications such as deafness, blindness, encephalitis (infection of the brain) and paralysis. Sometimes these infections can cause death.
Over the past few years, we have seen the impact of falling uptake of the childhood immunisations programme. In September 2025, almost 1 in 5 children starting primary school were not fully protected against several serious diseases.
Throughout 2024, we continued to see increases in measles cases, as well as whooping cough. In 2025, there continued to be outbreaks of measles in a number of regions in England. Outbreaks continue into 2026. In January 2026, the UK lost its World Health Organisation measles elimination status based on the spread of cases in 2024.
On 1 January 2026, the NHS introduced the MMRV vaccination programme to eligible children to help protect from chickenpox, as well as measles, mumps and rubella. The second dose of MMRV is now also offered earlier, at a new 18-month appointment to boost uptake, provide earlier protection, and support elimination goals.
It's never to late to catch up
If your child is not vaccinated, they're not protected.
If your child has missed any vaccinations, then it is best to speak to your GP practice.
While it is best for your children to have their vaccinations according to the NHS vaccination schedule, it is never too late to check.
You will be contacted by your GP practice when your child is due a routine immunisation – this could be by phone, text or email
Not sure if your child has had all routine vaccinations, or you are 19 years old and under, contact us for advice and support.
- You can check your child's Red Book
- You can visit www.nhs.uk/childhoodvaccinations to see if you should book an appointment
- All childhood vaccinations are free
- For the full timetable visit the NHS website where you can also see how to get them
- All medicines can cause side effects, but all health authorities around the world agree that immunisation is the safest way to protect our children’s health.
If you do not have access to the internet or mobile phone contact us, we can help.
You will receive a link by email or text message and will be asked to complete the consent form online.
We have other options available for anyone who cannot access online facilities. Parents / carers can call their local service for further help and support (and give their consent).
When you receive the consent form link, please complete it for your child (even if you do not want them to receive an immunisation). We can update their records and avoid you receiving any further follow up letters or phone calls from us.
Any problems please contact your local team for advice:
Liverpool School Immunisation Team:
* Halton, Knowsley and St Helens School Immunisation Team:
Sefton School Immunisation Team:
Consent required from parents/carers unless Gillick competence applies, as per national standards.
Thank you to all who attended our first HPV webinar. This was the first of a series of webinars designed to support parents and carers with information about vaccines delivered in schools.
Below are some helpful links and contact details, should you require any further information or support.
We will be scheduling an another HPV webinar for anyone who was unable to join us, so watch this space.
We showed a short film about vaccines which you can watch here:
If you need help, please contact your local team.
Liverpool School Immunisation Team
0151 295 3833
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Sefton School Immunisation Team
0151 247 6130
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Knowsley, Halton and St Helens School Immunisation Team
0151 351 8805
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Useful links
Childhood infections like measles and whooping cough continue to spread in our communities, with outbreaks linked to nurseries and schools across the country particularly affecting young children.
Such infections can have a huge impact on your child’s life. They can miss out on school due to time spent unwell, be hospitalised, and even experience life long complications and disability.
If your child isn’t vaccinated, they’re not protected.
It is important for parents to take up the offer of the free NHS childhood immunisation programme as soon as they are offered ensure your child has the best protection.
However, if you or your child have missed a vaccine, it is never too late to check if you can catch up.
We are calling on all parents to check their child’s red book to see if the children have missed any vaccines or check with their GP if they are unsure.
Please visit www.nhs.uk/childhoodvaccinations for the full vaccine schedule and more information about vaccines.
You said |
We did |
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I'm very nervous about having needles on my own |
Children who are nervous are able to be supported by a friend or attend a clinic with their parents or carers. |
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The advice sheet given to my child needs updating for secondary school children |
We have updated the secondary school post immunisation sheet |
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I was very upset about having my needles and didn't want my friends to see me |
We can make sure you have a private space within the session to support you if your concerned or upset about having your vaccination |
Vaccinations in schools
Have a child in school or about to start? It’s a good time to check they are up to date with their vaccinations. Illnesses like measles and whooping cough can be serious, so to check for any missed vaccines, look in your child’s red book or speak to your GP practice. Get more information and see the full childhood vaccination schedule here: www.nhs.uk/childhoodvaccinations #StayStrongGetVaccinated
Such infections can have a huge impact on your child’s life. They can miss out on school due to time spent unwell, be hospitalised, and even experience life long complications and disability. In some cases, these infections can tragically cause death.
Over the past few years, we have seen the impact of falling uptake of the childhood immunisations programme. In September 2025, almost 1 in 5 children starting primary school were not fully protected against several serious diseases.
Primary school Immunisations
Annual Nasal Flu Vaccine
During primary school your child will be offered their nasal flu spray between September to December
The children's flu vaccine is safe and effective. It's offered every year as a nasal spray to children to help protect them against flu.
Flu is caused by a virus. It can be a very unpleasant illness for children. It can also lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Children spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable to flu, such as babies and older people.
More information can be found on NHS uk
Your school will send out a link to all parents/carers with Flu information and consent forms for completion.
Please make sure you have given your school your correct Email address and Mobile number to receive this link.
Speak to your GP surgery if:
- you think you or your child have missed any vaccinations
- you or your child have a vaccination appointment – but you've missed it or cannot attend
They can book or rearrange the next available appointment.
It’s best to have vaccines on time, but you can still catch up on most vaccines if you miss them
Secondary school immunisations
When you child starts secondary school, please make sure you have given school your correct email address and mobile number as this is how you will receive information regarding their upcoming immunisations and access the online to their consent form.
View our welcome to high school pack which includes information around vaccinations due in Year 8 and Year 9.
Annual Nasal Flu Vaccine
The children's flu vaccine is safe and effective. It's offered every year as a nasal spray to children to help protect them against flu. Flu is caused by a virus. It can be a very unpleasant illness for children. It can also lead to serious problems, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Children spread flu easily. Vaccinating them also protects others who are vulnerable to flu, such as babies and older people. Further information can be found at NHS uk
Year 8 – HPV Vaccination
Girls and boys aged 12 to 13 years are offered the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as part of the NHS vaccination programme.
The HPV vaccine helps protect against cancers caused by HPV, including:
- cervical cancer
- some mouth and throat (head and neck) cancers
- some cancers of the anal and genital areas
It also helps protect against genital warts.
In England, girls and boys aged 12 to 13 years are routinely offered the HPV vaccination when they're in school Year 8.
For further information please visit NHS uk
Year 9 – Teenage Booster and Meningitis ACWY
The teenage booster, also known as the 3-in-1 or the Td/IPV vaccine, is given to boost protection against 3 separate diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and polio.
The MenACWY vaccine is also routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9
The MenACWY vaccine is given by a single injection into the upper arm and protects against 4 strains of the meningococcal bacteria – A, C, W and Y – which cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia).
Children will receive these two immunisations one in each arm
MMRV
You might wonder why the varicella (chickenpox) is being combined with MMR?
The MMRV vaccine provides greater protection against all four diseases.
- The MMRV vaccine has been shown to create long lasting protection against all four diseases.
- Using a combined vaccine for both the first and second dose means fewer injections are needed in a single immunisation visit.
- Previous attitudinal work has suggested that having fewer injections is preferred among parents, and a recent study among UK parents indicated that a combined varicella vaccine was preferred to separate vaccines.8
- Countries that have introduced programmes have observed a significant impact on cases of varicella and resulting hospitalisations. In countries introducing a 2-dose schedule, younger cohorts not eligible for vaccination have also seen reduced incidence because of reduced community transmission.9
Speak to your GP surgery if...
- You think you or your child have missed any vaccinations
- You or your child have a vaccination appointment – but you've missed it or cannot attend
- They can book or rearrange the next available appointment.
It’s best to have vaccines on time, but you can still catch up on most vaccines if you miss them.
It’s an exciting time thinking about your next choices and opportunities after school.
It’s important you are up to date with your immunisations before you start college, university or enter the workplace.
Being fully protected means you can enjoy your next experiences knowing you aren’t at risk of catching mumps or measles.
With lots of people in confined environments and close mixing, universities can be hot spots for measles, mumps and meningococcal disease as they present the perfect opportunity for the infection to spread.
It’s never too late to get protected, contact your GP for advice.
Think measles, it's not just a kids' problem
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Are childhood vaccines safe?
Yes. Before a vaccine is approved, it goes through rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness. Once in use, vaccines continue to be monitored. All routine NHS childhood vaccines have been used in millions of children worldwide and have an excellent safety record.
What are the common side effects of vaccines?
Most side effects are mild and short lived, such as a slightly sore arm, mild fever or redness at the injection site.
Can my child be vaccinated if they have allergies?
Yes, in most cases. Mild allergies do not prevent vaccination. Very rarely, a child may have an allergic reaction - usually straight after the vaccine is given. The nurse administering the vaccine is trained to treat this immediately.
How rare is a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)?
Anaphylaxis occurs in around one in a million vaccinations. It is extremely rare, and vaccinators are fully trained to respond if it happens.
Do vaccines contain harmful ingredients?
No. Vaccines contain only tiny amounts of ingredients that help make them safe and effective. They do not contain harmful levels of any substances, and there is no evidence that vaccine ingredients cause harm in the very small amounts used.
Do any childhood vaccines contain pork gelatine?
Yes, some do.
- One of the MMRV vaccines contains porcine gelatine, and one does not
- The nasal spray flu vaccine contains porcine gelatine, but a gelatine free flu injection is available
If you prefer a gelatine free option, speak to your school immunisation team.
My child is unwell - can they still have their vaccination?
If your child has a minor illness (like a cold) but no fever, they can still be vaccinated. If they have a fever, delay the vaccination until they are better, to avoid confusion between symptoms of illness and side effects of the vaccine.
Why does my child need several doses of some vaccines?
Multiple doses help build strong, long lasting immunity. Some vaccines require booster doses later in life to maintain protection.
Is “natural immunity” better than immunity from vaccines?
No. Catching diseases such as measles, meningitis or whooping cough carries serious risks including hospitalisation, disability and, in some cases, death. Vaccines teach the immune system to recognise infections safely, without the danger of the disease itself.
Do children get too many vaccines at once?
No. Babies’ immune systems routinely deal with thousands of germs every day. Studies show it is safe to give several vaccines at the same time, and it helps protect children as early as possible.
Can immunosuppressed children be vaccinated?
Children who are severely immunosuppressed may not be able to receive live vaccines (such as MMRV or nasal flu). The clinical team will provide specialist advice. It is especially important that their siblings and close contacts are fully vaccinated to help protect them.
Why do we still need vaccines if diseases like measles are now rare?
These diseases are rare because vaccination rates have historically been high. When uptake drops, infections spread more easily, and outbreaks occur. Global travel also means diseases can be brought into the UK. Vaccination protects your child and the wider community.
How will I know when my child’s vaccinations are due?
Your GP practice will contact you when vaccinations are due - by text, phone, email or letter. You can also check your child’s red book at any time.
What should I do if my child has missed a vaccine?
It’s never too late! Contact your GP practice. It is almost always possible to catch up without restarting the course. The only exception is rotavirus, which has strict upper age limits.
What is the MMRV vaccine?
MMRV protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. It became part of the routine schedule on 1 January 2026, with doses at 12 months and 18 months for children born on or after 1 January 2025.
Will there be a catch up programme for chickenpox vaccination?
Yes. A one dose MMRV catch up will be offered to children born 1 January 2020 to 31 August 2022 between November 2026 and March 2028, if they have not had chickenpox or a chickenpox vaccine.
Why has chickenpox vaccination been added to the routine schedule?
Chickenpox is common but can cause serious complications including pneumonia, encephalitis, bacterial infections and, in rare cases, stroke. Vaccination helps prevent severe illness and reduces the spread of infection.
Does chickenpox vaccine protection last?
Evidence from countries already using varicella vaccination shows strong, long lasting protection, especially with two doses.
Can my child receive vaccines separately instead of as a combined MMRV?
No. The routine childhood programme now uses MMRV because it provides the best protection with fewer injections. Using separate vaccines would require many more injections and offer slower protection.
Liverpool School Team:
Halton, Knowsley and St Helens School Team:
Sefton School Team:
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