If a vaccine is given when a baby still has antibodies to the disease, the antibodies can stop the vaccine working. This is why routine childhood immunisations do not start until a baby is two months old, before the antibodies a baby gets from its mother have stopped working. This is also why it is important for parents to stick to the immunisation schedule, as a delay can leave a baby unprotected. A delay can increase the chance of adverse reactions to some vaccines, such as pertussis (whooping cough).

Vaccination Schedule

At two months old:

•  Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) - one injection
  
• Pneumococcal infection - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - one injection 

At three months old:

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) - one injection
  
• Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) (MenC) - one injection  

At four months old:

•  Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) - one injection
  
• Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) (MenC) - one injection
  
• Pneumococcal infection - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - one injection  

At around 12 months old:

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningitis C (Hib/MenC) - booster dose in one injection  

At around 13 months old:

• Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) - one injection
  
• Pneumococcal infection - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - one injection  

Three years four months to five years old (pre-school):

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio (dTaP/IPV or DTaP/IPV) - one injection
  
• Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) - one injection
  

13 to 18 years old:

• Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (Td/IPV) - one injection

Further reading

There are some excellent websites that will answer all your questions and queries about immunisation and vaccination. If you are worried about giving the MMR vaccine, you should access the MMR site.

www.immunisation.nhs.uk The most comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate source of information on vaccines, disease and immunisation in the UK.

www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/MMR This website has been put together to answer any questions you might have about MMR. You can look for information and resources in the MMR library, ask an expert panel a question, and read up on the latest news stories relating to MMR.