Vaccines for children ages 5-16

All young people (boys and girls) aged 12 to 13 (school year 8) will be offered the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. This vaccine helps protect against future risks of HPV-related cancers such as:

• cervical cancer
• some head and neck cancers
• some cancers of the anus, and
• some cancers of the genital area (for example, the penis, vagina and vulva).

HPV lives on the skin and is spread by skin-to-skin contact. Getting the vaccine as a young person protects against future risks.

Head and neck cancers are most common in males, with around 700 men diagnosed in Wales each year.

HPV vaccination cuts the risk of cervical cancer by 90%, as well as dramatically lowering the rates of other types of HPV related cancers.

Young people who miss their HPV vaccination at school can still have it up to their 25th birthday.

All young people aged 13 to 14 (school year 9) will be offered the teenage 3-in-1 booster (also known as Td/IPV) vaccine which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and polio. This vaccine completes a 5-dose course which gives most people lifelong protection against tetanus, diphtheria and polio.

Tetanus and diphtheria are serious diseases that can damage the heart and nervous system. Polio is a virus that attacks the nervous system and can cause permanent paralysis of muscles. In severe cases, these diseases can kill.

The teenage 3-in-1 booster is usually given at the same visit as the MenACWY vaccine. In most areas of Wales, these vaccines are offered together in school. In a few areas where the vaccines are not given in school, they will be offered at the GP surgery or a community vaccination centre.

The number of routine doses recommended for children and young people born after 1 July 2025 has increased to six. This is due to changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule that aims to ensure the necessary protection for younger children for other diseases.

Young people who miss their teenage 3-in-1 booster vaccination remain eligible to get the vaccine. It’s never too late to get up to date.

All young people aged 13 to 14 (school year 9) will be offered the meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y vaccine (MenACWY). This is the safest and most effective way to help protect against meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and sepsis (a life-threatening reaction to an infection that can harm your whole body), caused by four groups of meningococcal bacteria – A, C, W and Y.

The MenACWY is usually given at the same visit as the teenage 3-in-1 booster vaccine.  In most areas in Wales, these vaccines are offered together in school. In a few areas where the vaccines are not given in school, they will be offered at the GP surgery or a community vaccination centre.

Young people who miss their MenACWY vaccination at school can still have the vaccine up to their 25th birthday. 

Flu is a virus that can lead to serious illnesses and death. There are flu outbreaks most winters and the virus is constantly changing. Each year, flu vaccines are changed to match the flu viruses which are going around that year, so that people get the best protection from flu.

All children and young people in primary school and secondary school (from reception to year 11) will be offered a flu vaccination each winter. This is usually offered as a spray up the nose.

Measles, mumps and rubella (also known as German measles) are highly infectious diseases that can easily spread between people who are not vaccinated. These diseases can have serious and potentially fatal medical complications.

Two doses of an MMR containing vaccine is the safest, most effective way to help protect against measles, mumps and rubella. Both doses are usually offered before a child starts school.

If you or your child missed their MMR vaccination, you can catch up at any time – there is no age limit. Getting 2 doses helps protect you from these highly infectious diseases.

From 1 January 2026, a change is being made to the routine schedule to add protection against a fourth disease known as varicella (chickenpox) to the MMR vaccine, to make a new combined vaccine of MMRV.

A catch-up programme will also offer MMRV to some children under 6 years of age, including those who may have already had two doses of the MMR vaccine. You can speak to your child’s school nurse, practice nurse or GP to discuss if your child is eligible.  

It’s a good idea to check that all other routine childhood vaccinations are up to date. Some vaccinations which are missed earlier in life may be offered to your child as a teenager in school or via their GP surgery or community vaccination centre. If you are unsure if your child has missed any vaccinations, and is older than the recommended age, talk to your school nurse, immunisation team, GP or practice nurse.