Baby and child immunisations

Why is getting my child vaccinated important?

Vaccinations are one of the most powerful ways to protect your child from serious illnesses. They prevent millions of cases of disease worldwide every year and have saved the lives of an estimated 36 million children under five between 2000 and 2019.

Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, deadly diseases like smallpox, polio, and tetanus have almost completely disappeared. This is thanks to families like yours choosing to vaccinate.

But if people stop getting vaccinated, these infections can return and spread quickly. That’s why keeping up with your child’s immunisations is so important.

Some children, such as those with conditions like leukaemia, cannot be vaccinated. When most people are vaccinated, it creates a protective shield that helps keep these vulnerable children safe too. By vaccinating your child, you’re not only protecting them—you’re helping protect the most fragile members of our community.

Your choice to vaccinate makes a difference. It keeps your child healthy and helps protect everyone around them.

Worried about the side effects of vaccinations?

It’s perfectly normal for your child to experience a few mild side effects after their vaccination—and the good news is, these usually pass quickly and aren’t serious.

Here are the most common things to look out for:

  • A bit of redness, swelling, or soreness where the needle was—usually lasts 2–3 days.
  • Feeling a little under the weather, sometimes with a low-grade fever—typically only 1–2 days.
  • For older kids (and grown-ups too)—lightheadedness or feeling faint is possible, but it doesn’t last.
  • Feeling tired, experiencing a mild headache, or having flu-like symptoms—again, short-lived.
  • Some children might cry or seem upset right after the injection—totally normal! A calming hug usually does the trick.

All of these reactions are your child’s immune system doing its job, and they usually go away within a few days.

If you’re ever worried or the symptoms continue beyond a couple of days, don’t hesitate to reach out to your GP or health nurse. They’re always there to help.

Well done—you’re taking a big step to protect your child’s health!

Important: Worried About Anti-Vaccine Stories Online? Here’s the Truth

It’s natural to feel concerned when you see scary stories about vaccines on social media—but most of these posts are not true. They often spread misinformation that isn’t based on science and could put your child at risk of serious illness.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Always get your health information from trusted sources like the NHS or World Health Organisation (WHO).
  • All the evidence shows that vaccinating your child is far safer than leaving them unprotected.

Vaccines are safe because:

  • They do not overload or weaken your child’s immune system. It’s perfectly safe for children to have several vaccines at the same time—this even means fewer injections overall.
  • They do not contain mercury (thiomersal).
  • They only include tiny amounts of ingredients that make them safe and effective—nothing harmful.

By choosing vaccination, you’re giving your child the best protection against serious diseases and helping keep your whole community safe.

What vaccines does my child need?

You already do so much to keep your little one safe—car seats, stair gates, healthy meals. Another powerful way to protect them is by making sure they get all their vaccinations on time.

In the UK, children are offered vaccines at these key ages:
✅ 8 weeks
✅ 12 weeks
✅ 16 weeks
✅ 1 year
✅ 18 months
✅ 3 years and 4 months

Each of these protects your child from serious illnesses and helps keep other children safe too.

Want the full schedule? You can find it here, with details about every vaccine and what it protects against:

NHS vaccinations and when to have them - NHS

 

Watch Helpful Videos About Childhood Vaccinations

Want to learn more about why vaccinations are so important for your child’s health? We’ve put together short, easy-to-watch videos that explain everything you need to know about keeping your little one safe.

✅ Click the link below to watch now
✅ Videos are available in different languages, so you can choose the one that’s best for you.

English - https://youtu.be/FAYGLl_-6lU

Urdu - https://youtu.be/1Mb_xYHIuTc

Arabic - https://youtu.be/pB_nPzNiiQU

Polish - https://youtu.be/5lzkkwLOcA0

What happens at baby immunisation appointments?

We’re here to make the process simple and stress-free for you and your little one.

Here’s what to expect:

  • When your baby is 6 weeks old, we’ll contact you by phone or letter to arrange a baby check with the GP. At the same time, you’ll also have your postnatal check.
  • After this, the receptionist will book your baby’s first immunisation appointment at 8 weeks. These appointments are always 20 minutes long. (Your baby must be at least 8 weeks old for their first vaccines.)
  • After the first set of vaccines, the nurse will book the next appointment in 4 weeks for the second set, and then another 4 weeks later for the third set.
  • Once these three sets are complete, we’ll contact you again when your child is due for their 12-month vaccines, and so on.
Missed an Appointment? Don’t Worry!

Life happens, and occasional delays are normal. If you miss an appointment:

  • We’ll help you rebook quickly so your child stays on track.
  • You can also call us anytime to arrange a new date.
  • Your child will continue from where they left off—they won’t need to start the schedule again.

We’re here to support you every step of the way. Vaccinations are one of the best ways to keep your child healthy and safe.

Measles and Mumps Cases Are Rising in Bradford – Protect Your Child

Measles and mumps are starting to appear again in England, and Bradford has already seen several confirmed cases of measles. The best protection against both diseases is the MMR vaccine.

This is serious because:

  • Measles can lead to life-threatening complications like meningitis.
  • Mumps can cause hearing loss and other long-term health problems.

The safest way to protect your child is to make sure they have two doses of the MMR vaccine. It’s quick, safe, and gives strong protection against these dangerous illnesses.

✅ Check your child’s vaccination record today and book any missing doses.

And finally....

We appreciate you taking the time to learn why childhood vaccinations matter so much. Here’s a quick summary:

  • Vaccines are safe and effective – they protect your child from serious illnesses like measles and meningitis.
  • Side effects are mild and short-lived – usually just a sore arm or slight fever.
  • The diseases vaccines prevent can be life-threatening – vaccination is the best way to keep your child safe.

Further reading?

The NHS website has a wealth of further information regarding vaccines. 

Why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself - NHS

The healthier together website is another great source for new mums

Childhood Vaccinations | Newborn Care - Age under 6 | Healthier Together

Better Lives Healthy Future - Another good NHS resource for all immunisations

Immunisation and vaccinations - Better Lives Healthy Futures

Page last reviewed: 24 December 2025
Page created: 24 December 2025