Vaccines for children ages 0-5

Vaccinations help protect your child by preparing their immune system to fight off illnesses that spread between people (infectious diseases). Babies and young children are more at risk from certain diseases because the symptoms can be more severe and cause lasting damage to their health, or even death. It is important to make sure that babies are protected as early as possible to prevent them from catching the diseases.

The vaccination programmes in the UK are very effective. This means that diseases such as measles, polio and diphtheria are rare in the UK. However, if babies and young children are not vaccinated against these diseases, they may become more common again. Many of these diseases can be particularly serious in babies and young children.

Some infectious diseases can cause serious illness in babies. It is important to make sure that babies are protected as early as possible to protect against these diseases. Vaccinations help give your baby a healthy start in life.

For most routine vaccinations, your local health board will send you a letter when your child becomes eligible. Your child will then be invited to receive their vaccine at their GP surgery, or other vaccination setting. If you think you may have missed the invitation or appointment, contact your GP surgery.

Your baby or child can still have their vaccinations if they have asthma, eczema, hay fever, food intolerances or allergies.

Most children who are allergic to egg can have vaccines without any problems. The person giving the vaccine will check it is safe to give. Contact your health visitor, practice nurse or doctor if you have any questions.

There are very few reasons why children cannot be vaccinated.

A vaccine should not be given to children who have had a severe (life-threatening) reaction to a previous dose of the same vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine. If your child:

• • has a bleeding disorder (for example haemophilia, where their blood does not clot properly), or

• • has had a fit not caused by a raised temperature

speak to your GP, practice nurse or health visitor before your child has any vaccination.

A small number of babies and children should not have a routine vaccination due to health reasons. Your GP or nurse can give you more information and answer any concerns you have about vaccinations.  

Children with a weakened immune system   

A small number of children have a weakened immune system (an immune system that does not work as well as it should). This may be due to a health problem or treatment they are having for a condition (such as cancer) or following a transplant. These children should not usually have live vaccines. Live vaccines include the MMR, rotavirus and flu nasal-spray vaccines.

If your child has a weakened immune system, speak to your GP, nurse or health visitor before they are due to be vaccinated.

There are no other reasons why your child or baby should not have a vaccination.

The practice nurse or GP will explain about the vaccinations and answer any questions you may have. With babies, the vaccine is given by injection into the thigh. In children over the age of 12 months, injections are usually given in the upper arm.

You can hold your baby or child on your knee while they have their vaccination. They may be upset for a short time immediately after the vaccination, but you can give them a cuddle to help them feel better.  You can find more information about how to distract your child during vaccination on the  distraction methods during vaccination page.

All medicines (including vaccines) are tested for safety and effectiveness before they are allowed to be used. Once they are in use, their safety continues to be monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) (external site). The MHRA is the UK regulatory authority for medicines and vaccines.

Although all medicines may cause some side effects, vaccines are among the safest of all medicines. Worldwide research shows that the safest way to protect your child’s health is by getting them vaccinated.

Most side effects from vaccinations are mild and do not last long, and not everyone gets them. Different vaccinations can have different side effects.

You can find information about side effects for each vaccine at: the A to Z list of vaccinations page.

Research shows that it is safe for babies to have more than one vaccination at the same time. This will mean that they are protected from some serious infections.

Babies are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases. This makes it even more important that they receive all their routine vaccines at the recommended time.

From birth onwards, a baby comes into contact with millions of germs every day. Babies’ immune systems are working all the time to protect them against germs (bacteria and viruses) in the environment. Vaccines are much less of a challenge to the immune system than all the germs babies come into contact with every day.

For more information on selective vaccination programmes or additional vaccines for people with underlying medical conditions, see the complete routine immunisation schedule for Wales.

Contact your GP surgery if you think your child has missed any vaccinations.

You should cancel an appointment in advance if you can’t make it. If you miss the appointment or have to delay the vaccination, make a new appointment as soon as possible. Your child can still have their vaccinations, but they will be without protection for longer.

If your child has a minor illness without a raised temperature (fever), such as a cold, they should have their vaccinations as normal. If your child is ill with a raised temperature (over 38˚C) on the day the vaccination is due, delay the vaccination until they have recovered.

When travelling overseas, you and your child might need extra vaccinations depending on the country you are visiting.

At least eight weeks before you are due to travel, speak to your GP or a private travel clinic to find out which vaccinations you and your child may need.

You can find more information about travel vaccinations by visiting the Welsh Government guidance page (external site).   

If you have moved to the UK from overseas, you can register with a local GP surgery. You can visit your GP or nurse free of charge to discuss which vaccinations you or your children may need.