If a vaccine is given when a baby still has antibodies to the disease, the antibodies can stop the vaccine working. This is why routine childhood immunisations do not start until a baby is two months old, before the antibodies a baby gets from its mother have stopped working. This is also why it is important for parents to stick to the immunisation schedule, as a delay can leave a baby unprotected. A delay can increase the chance of adverse reactions to some vaccines, such as pertussis (whooping cough).

At two months old:

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB) - one injection
• Rotavirus - one injection
• Meningococcal B (MenB) - one injection

At three months old:

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB) - one injection
• Pneumococcal - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - one injection
• Rotavirus - one injection

At four months old:

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), hepatitis B (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB) - one injection
• Meningococcal B (MenB) - one injection

At around one year old:

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningitis C (Hib/MenC) - booster dose in one injection
• Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) - one injection
• Pneumococcal - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - one injection
• Meningococcal B (MenB) - one injection

Two to ten years old:

• Flu vaccine (every year)

Three years and four months old (pre-school):

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio (dTaP/IPV or DTaP/IPV) - one injection
• Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) - one injection

Twelve to thirteen years old:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) - 2 doses

Fourteen years old:

• Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (Td/IPV) - one injection
• Meningitis and septicaemia (MenACWY) - one injection

There are some excellent websites that will answer all your questions and queries about immunisation and vaccination. If you are worried about giving the MMR vaccine, you should access the MMR site.

Immunisation Information
The most comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate source of information on vaccines, disease and immunisation in the UK. 

MMR Information
This website has been put together to answer any questions you might have about MMR. You can look for information and resources in the MMR library, ask an expert panel a question, and read up on the latest news stories relating to MMR.

Measles – don’t let your child catch it
A poster with information about measles, the vaccination available to protect your child and answers to common questions.

Timing matters for your child’s immunisations
Vaccination schedules are designed to protect your child when they need it most.

Immunisations for children up to 12 months old
Routine vaccinations in the first year of life at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks and at one year provide important life-saving protection from infectious diseases.