Baby vaccination schedule for their first year

Getting your baby immunised is important as it helps protect them against serious infection and disease. Some vaccines provide immunity that lasts a lifetime, but sometimes to get full protection, the immunity has to be built up gradually through regular repeated doses. The immunisation schedule is designed to give your baby maximum protection¹. It should be followed even if your baby is premature, as premature babies have lower immunity than full-term babies².

quick explanation

Discover your baby’s vaccination schedule for their first year, and any travel vaccinations they may need for your holidays.

stage

0-12

months

reading time

5

minutes

Your baby’s first injection

Soon after your baby is born, you’ll be offered a vitamin K injection for them³. This is not actually a vaccine but a high dose of the vitamin, to aid blood-clotting. You can choose to give your baby vitamin K orally, via drops, over a period of days and weeks instead of through injection – or may decide not to give them the supplement at all.

Baby immunisations during the first year

Your baby will be offered the following vaccinations⁴:

At 8 weeks

Their first dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B.
Meningococcal group B disease (MenB).
Rotavirus.

At 12 weeks

Their second dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine.
Pneumococcal disease.
Rotavirus.

At 16 weeks

Their third dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine.
Meningococcal group B disease (MenB).

At 12 months

Hib/meningococcal group C (MenC).
Pneumococcal disease booster.
Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles).
Meningococcal group B disease (MenB).

Travel vaccinations for babies

If you are planning to travel in their first year, check with your healthcare professional if your baby needs additional immunisation⁴. Some vaccines, like hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera, should be free through the NHS⁵.

Baby care after their vaccination

Vaccinations can be a little overwhelming for babies and they may cry for a little while after the appointment, but they’ll feel much better after a cuddle⁶.

Some babies may experience minor temporary side effects, including:

A raised temperature or fever.
Irritability.
Tenderness or redness at the injection site.

If your baby gets a fever, you can give them infant paracetamol, but make sure you follow the instructions carefully.

Your baby's future health begins here

At Aptaclub, we believe that experience helps to build resilience; and that each new encounter, whether in pregnancy or after birth, can shape your baby’s future development. With our scientific expertise and one-to-one round the clock support, we can help you and your baby embrace tomorrow.

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