Vaccinations for your child aged 0 to 5
Last updated: 23 October 2025
Next review: 23 October 2026
Changes to vaccinations
The vaccination schedule for children is slightly changing to increase protection against childhood illness: from January 2026, the second dose of the MMR vaccine and a fourth dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine will be offered when children are 18 months old. The MMR vaccine will, from January 2026, also include a dose of the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. This will be referred to as the MMRV vaccine moving forward.
- The changes only affect children born on or after 1 July 2024. Children born before that date will fall under the previous schedule.
- The new doses partly replace the MMR dose currently offered at 3 years and 4 months, and the Hib/Meningitis C vaccine currently offered when children turn 1. These doses will no longer be offered to children born on or after 1 July 2024.
Please speak to your GP if you have any questions or find more information on the GOV.UK website.
Vaccines for babies under 1 years old
Each of the following vaccines are offered to your child in the first few weeks of their life. These vaccinations will usually take place at your GP practice. If you’re signed up to a GP practice, they will invite you to get your child vaccinated at the appropriate point. If they haven’t contacted you, please get in touch with them.
You can read more about each vaccine and what it protects against by following the links in the table below or by speaking to your GP:
| Vaccines for babies under 1 year old | |
|---|---|
| Age | Vaccines |
| 8 weeks | 6-in-1 vaccine Rotavirus vaccine MenB vaccine |
| 12 weeks | 6-in-1 vaccine (2nd dose) MenB vaccine (2nd dose) Rotavirus vaccine (2nd dose) |
| 16 weeks | 6-in-1 vaccine (3rd dose) Pneumococcal vaccine |
Vaccines for children between 1 and 5 years of age
Between the ages of 1 and 5, your child will be invited to get the following vaccines. GP practices are responsible for inviting you to get your child vaccinated. These vaccinations will usually take place at your GP practice however, flu vaccinations may be given at school during the school year. School vaccinations are provided by Vaccination UK.
You can read more about each vaccine and what it protects against by clicking the links in the table below, by speaking to your GP or by contacting Vaccination UK’s Waltham Forest branch by calling 0208 017 4291 or emailing walthamforest@v-uk.co.uk.
| Vaccines for children aged 1 to 5 | |
|---|---|
| Age | Vaccines |
| 1 year | MMR vaccine Pneumococcal vaccine (2nd dose) MenB vaccine (3rd dose) Hib/MenC vaccine (for children born on or before 30 June 2024) |
| 1 year and 6 months (18 months) | 6-in-1 vaccine (4th dose for children born on or after 1 July 2024) MMR vaccine (2nd dose for children born on or after 1 July 2024) |
| 2 to 5 years | Children's flu vaccine (then every year until children finish Year 11 of secondary school, see more about vaccinations at school) |
| 3 years and 4 months | MMR vaccine (2nd dose for children born on or before 30 June 2024) 4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine |
Vaccines for at-risk babies and children
Some vaccines are only available on the NHS for groups who need extra protection. If you think your child is eligible for any of these vaccinations and has not yet received them, please speak to your GP practice.
You can read more about each vaccine and what it protects against by clicking the links in the table below or speaking to your GP:
| Vaccines for at-risk babies and children | |
|---|---|
| At-risk group | Vaccines |
| Babies born to mothers who have hepatitis B | Hepatitis B vaccine at birth and 4 weeks, also at 12 months for babies born on or before 30 June 2024 |
| Children born in areas of the country where there are high numbers of TB cases | BCG tuberculosis (TB) vaccine at around 4 weeks |
| Children whose parents or grandparents were born in a country with many cases of TB | BCG tuberculosis (TB) vaccine at around 4 weeks |
| Children 6 months to 17 years old with long-term health conditions | Children's flu vaccine every year |
| Children 6 months to 17 years old who have a weakened immune system | Covid-19 vaccine, usually given in spring and winter |