Immunisations
Adult Immunisations
Most of these vaccinations are available at no charge, providing that you meet NHS eligibility criteria.
Influenza (Flu)
If you suffer with asthma, lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, have had a splenectomy or you are over 65 years of age you should have an influenza vaccination every October. Saturday flu clinics are available in September / October, subject to demand and vaccine availability.
Shingles
From 1 September 2023, you’re eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 65. You’ll be offered 2 doses of the vaccine. These are given between 6 and 12 months apart.
Everyone aged 70 to 79 is eligible for the shingles vaccine. Depending on the type of vaccine you have, you’ll have either 1 dose or 2 doses (given between 6 and 12 months apart).
If you’re aged 50 or over and you’re at higher risk from shingles because you have a severely weakened immune system.
This includes:
- some people with blood cancer (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)
- some people with HIV or AIDS
- some people who’ve recently had a stem cell transplant, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or an organ transplant
- people taking certain medicines that severely weaken the immune system
You’ll be given 2 doses of the shingles vaccine. These are given between 8 weeks and 6 months apart.
Pneumococcal
People over 65 only need a single pneumococcal vaccination, which will protect for life. It’s not given annually like the flu jab. People with a long-term health condition may need just a single one-off pneumococcal vaccination or five-yearly vaccination, depending on their underlying health problem.
Pertussis in Pregnancy
Pregnant women can help protect their babies from contracting whooping cough by getting vaccinated – ideally from 16 weeks up to 32 weeks pregnant. If for any reason you miss having the vaccine, you can still have it up until you go into labour.
Children’s Influenza Immunisations
Eligible children
The flu vaccine is offered free to:
- Children aged 2 or 3 years old (on 31 August before flu vaccinations start in the autumn). This will be offered by your GP surgery and you will be contacted by SMS and/or letter.
- Some school-aged children. For all ‘non at risk’ children this will be undertaken in schools by the school nursing teams. Please contact your child’s school for information.
- Children with a health condition that puts them at greater risk from flu. Children who are at risk will be contacted by their GP surgery to book an appointment for immunisation.
Tetanus
A full course (three injections) for those previously un-immunised and two further boosters ten years apart is considered sufficient protection.
Polio
A full course for those previously un-immunised. For those exposed to a continuing risk of infection a booster dose every ten years.
Childhood Immunisations
There are very few real contra-indications that apply to any of the childhood immunisations. If you have any doubts or anxieties, talk it over with your health visitor.
Routine Immunisation Programme
Each vaccination is given as a single injection into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm.
| When to immunise | Diseases protected against |
| Two months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Pneumococcal disease Rotavirus (from July) |
| Three months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib Meningococcal group C disease (MenC) Rotavirus (from July) |
| Four months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib Pneumococcal disease |
| Between 12 & 13 months old – within a month of the first birthday | Hib/MenC Pneumococcal disease Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) |
| Three years four months old or soon after | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio Measles, mumps and rubella |
| Girls aged 12 to 13 years old | Cervical cancer cased by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 (and genital warts caused by types 6 and 11) |
| Around 14 years old | Tetanus, diphtheria and polio MenC |
Non-routine immunisations
| When to immunise | Diseases protected against |
| At birth (increased risk of contact) | Tuberculosis |
| At birth (whose mothers are hepatitis B positive) | Hepatitis B |
