Immunisation and vaccines

Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health. They prevent up to 3 million deaths worldwide every year.

The Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme (VPDP) of Public Health Wales was established in July 2005. It draws on support from a variety of existing partners across NHS Wales and beyond to support a national approach to Immunisations and vaccinations.

• Vaccinations in pregnancy

• Vaccinations for babies and children aged 0 to 5 years

• Vaccinations for children aged 5 to 16

• Information about vaccinations for adults

Why are vaccinations important?

Importance for children

It is important that all children and babies are fully immunised to protect them from potentially serious diseases. Once common illnesses, such as diphtheria and tetanus, are now rare in the UK because of immunisation. But while polio has been eliminated in Europe, the threat of other diseases, such as measles and meningitis, has not gone away in the UK today.

Parents with worries or queries about any aspect of their child’s immunisations should discuss them with their doctor, health visitor, practice nurse or school nurse.

Importance for adults

Immunisation is a lifelong event and adults also benefit from immunisation. It is important that adults have had all of their routine childhood immunisations.

Some people will need additional immunisations as they are at increased risk due to their age or health condition, or to protect their health in work or if travelling. For those at increased risk to complications of influenza, the annual flu vaccine is recommended. A Pneumococcal vaccine is also recommended to help protect people at increased risk of pneumococcal disease.

We have also faced the unprecedented challenges of delivering one of the swiftest and most comprehensive vaccination programmes in delivering the COVID-19 vaccines and it is important that all those who are eligible to get vaccinated do so when they are invited.

A guide to vaccinations for people with a learning disability

The guide explains why vaccines are important, how they work and the process of getting a vaccine.

Vaccination information and surveillance

The Immunisation surveillance page brings together key information on vaccination programmes in Wales, including surveillance reports, data use, and resources for health and social care professionals.