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Signposting expectant parents, parents of babies (0-12 months), and professionals to current evidence-based guidance
Common Questions Parents Ask About Babies Aged 0–12 Months
Last Guidance Review Date: 24/7/2025
Next Guidance Review Date: 31/8/2025
NHS Immunisations, BCG, Measles, Travel Immunisations and when to offer Paracetamol to your Baby
NHS vaccination schedule
Please click and follow the link below for up to date guidance. Signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Vaccination Schedule Changes
1st July 2025
📆 From 1 July 2025
❌ The 12-month Menitorix® (Hib/MenC) vaccine will stop being given.
Applies to babies born on or after 1 July 2024
🆕 No replacement at 12 months, instead, a new appointment will be introduced at 18 months
📆 From 1 January 2026
🆕 New 18-Month Vaccination Appointment (Routine for all children):
💉 6-in-1 vaccine booster (hexavalent vaccine – protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B, and Hib).
💉 2nd dose of MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) — moved from age 3 years 4 months to 18 month.
👶 What happens for children already growing up?
🕐 Children aged 18 months–2½ years in Jan–Oct 2026 will be called for an early catch-up MMR vaccine.
🕒 Children older than 2½ will still get MMR at the old time (3y4m) until October 2026.
📍 What Parents Should Do
✅ Accept invitations for the new 18-month vaccine appointment in 2026.
🔄 Check if your child needs a catch-up MMR or chickenpox dose (your GP will advise).
🗂️ Expect NHS letters, texts, or app reminders with new dates from your practice.
1. Visual vaccine schedule poster (July 2025):
[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-visual-guide-to-vaccinations-schedule-july-2025](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-visual-guide-to-vaccinations-schedule-july-2025)
2. Routine immunisation schedule from 1 July 2025 (printable table):
[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/routine-childhood-immunisation-schedule-uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/routine-childhood-immunisation-schedule-uk)
3. Training slide set – 2025/26 schedule changes:
[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immunisation-training-resources](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immunisation-training-resources)
4. Parent leaflets and regional implementation info (NHS East of England):
[https://www.eoe.hee.nhs.uk/imms](https://www.eoe.hee.nhs.uk/imms)
❌ The 12-month Menitorix® (Hib/MenC) vaccine will stop being given.
Applies to babies born on or after 1 July 2024
🆕 No replacement at 12 months, instead, a new appointment will be introduced at 18 months
📆 From 1 January 2026
🆕 New 18-Month Vaccination Appointment (Routine for all children):
💉 6-in-1 vaccine booster (hexavalent vaccine – protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B, and Hib).
💉 2nd dose of MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) — moved from age 3 years 4 months to 18 month.
👶 What happens for children already growing up?
🕐 Children aged 18 months–2½ years in Jan–Oct 2026 will be called for an early catch-up MMR vaccine.
🕒 Children older than 2½ will still get MMR at the old time (3y4m) until October 2026.
📍 What Parents Should Do
✅ Accept invitations for the new 18-month vaccine appointment in 2026.
🔄 Check if your child needs a catch-up MMR or chickenpox dose (your GP will advise).
🗂️ Expect NHS letters, texts, or app reminders with new dates from your practice.
1. Visual vaccine schedule poster (July 2025):
[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-visual-guide-to-vaccinations-schedule-july-2025](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-visual-guide-to-vaccinations-schedule-july-2025)
2. Routine immunisation schedule from 1 July 2025 (printable table):
[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/routine-childhood-immunisation-schedule-uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/routine-childhood-immunisation-schedule-uk)
3. Training slide set – 2025/26 schedule changes:
[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immunisation-training-resources](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immunisation-training-resources)
4. Parent leaflets and regional implementation info (NHS East of England):
[https://www.eoe.hee.nhs.uk/imms](https://www.eoe.hee.nhs.uk/imms)
Travel Immunisations NHS Guidelines
Please click and follow the link below for up to date guidance. Signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine
Please click and follow the link below for up to date guidance. Signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Paracetamol after Immunisations and Tips for Parents.
As stated in NHS (20240 and NHS:
Immunisations Tips
● Take your personal child health record (PCHR) Red Book to vaccination appointments.
● Inform the practice or clinic if someone else is bringing your baby for vaccinations.
● Dress your baby in easily removable clothing. When you baby is older dress your child in loose or short sleeves.
● Stay calm during the vaccination.
● Comfort your baby throughout and when older explain to your child what's going to happen in simple terms.
● Ask your nurse on what is the best position to hold your baby depending on the injection site.
● Do not rush to the appointment.
● Feel free to discuss any concerns with the nurse or doctor.
● Your baby or child may cry briefly after a vaccination.
● The injection site can be sore and red for 2-3 days.
● Some babies may feel irritable, unwell, or develop a fever.
If your baby has a fever:
Ensure they are not overdressed.
Keep them hydrated.
MenB Vaccine Schedule:
● 8 weeks
● 16 weeks
● 1 year old
as part of the NHS schedule.
MenB Vaccine Side Effects:
● Possible side effects include swelling or pain at the injection site, high temperature, tiredness, irritability, loss of appetite, and diarrhoea.
● These side effects typically improve within 1-2 days.
*** To prevent or treat a fever after MenB vaccinations at 8 and 16 weeks, give your baby 3 doses of paracetamol.
● First dose: as soon as possible after vaccination.
● Second dose: 4-6 hours later.
● Third dose: 4-6 hours after the second dose.
● Ensure at least 4 hours between each dose and do not exceed 4 doses in 24 hours.
*** Urgent Advice / Seek urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if your child:
● Is under 3 months old with a temperature of 38C or higher.
● Is 3 to 6 months old with a temperature of 39C or higher.
● Still has a high temperature more than 48 hours after the MenB vaccination.
● Is unwell and you are concerned.
*** Allergic Reactions:
● Serious allergic reactions to vaccinations are very rare and typically occur within minutes.
● The person vaccinating your child is trained to handle and treat allergic reactions immediately.
● Consult a GP or call NHS 111 if you are concerned about your child's reaction to a vaccination.
Sources:
NHS (2024). Vaccination tips for parents. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/vaccination-tips-for-parents/ (Accessed: 3 June 2024).
NHS (2024). MenB vaccine. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/menb-vaccine/#:~:text=You'll%20need%20to%20give,to%206%20hours%20after%20that (Accessed: 3 June 2024).
Please click and follow the link below for further up to date guidance. Signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Immunisations Tips
● Take your personal child health record (PCHR) Red Book to vaccination appointments.
● Inform the practice or clinic if someone else is bringing your baby for vaccinations.
● Dress your baby in easily removable clothing. When you baby is older dress your child in loose or short sleeves.
● Stay calm during the vaccination.
● Comfort your baby throughout and when older explain to your child what's going to happen in simple terms.
● Ask your nurse on what is the best position to hold your baby depending on the injection site.
● Do not rush to the appointment.
● Feel free to discuss any concerns with the nurse or doctor.
● Your baby or child may cry briefly after a vaccination.
● The injection site can be sore and red for 2-3 days.
● Some babies may feel irritable, unwell, or develop a fever.
If your baby has a fever:
Ensure they are not overdressed.
Keep them hydrated.
MenB Vaccine Schedule:
● 8 weeks
● 16 weeks
● 1 year old
as part of the NHS schedule.
MenB Vaccine Side Effects:
● Possible side effects include swelling or pain at the injection site, high temperature, tiredness, irritability, loss of appetite, and diarrhoea.
● These side effects typically improve within 1-2 days.
*** To prevent or treat a fever after MenB vaccinations at 8 and 16 weeks, give your baby 3 doses of paracetamol.
● First dose: as soon as possible after vaccination.
● Second dose: 4-6 hours later.
● Third dose: 4-6 hours after the second dose.
● Ensure at least 4 hours between each dose and do not exceed 4 doses in 24 hours.
*** Urgent Advice / Seek urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if your child:
● Is under 3 months old with a temperature of 38C or higher.
● Is 3 to 6 months old with a temperature of 39C or higher.
● Still has a high temperature more than 48 hours after the MenB vaccination.
● Is unwell and you are concerned.
*** Allergic Reactions:
● Serious allergic reactions to vaccinations are very rare and typically occur within minutes.
● The person vaccinating your child is trained to handle and treat allergic reactions immediately.
● Consult a GP or call NHS 111 if you are concerned about your child's reaction to a vaccination.
Sources:
NHS (2024). Vaccination tips for parents. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/vaccination-tips-for-parents/ (Accessed: 3 June 2024).
NHS (2024). MenB vaccine. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/menb-vaccine/#:~:text=You'll%20need%20to%20give,to%206%20hours%20after%20that (Accessed: 3 June 2024).
Please click and follow the link below for further up to date guidance. Signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
BCG vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) NHS Guidelines
Please click and follow the link below for up to date guidance. Signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) for Infants and Children?
As of now, the NHS does not offer the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine to infants directly. Instead, the vaccine is administered to pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy to help protect their newborns during the first few months of life, when they are most vulnerable to severe RSV infections. This approach leverages maternal immunity to provide passive protection to the infant after birth.
For infants at higher risk, such as those born prematurely or with certain health conditions, additional preventive measures may be considered. Healthcare providers can offer guidance on the most appropriate steps to protect these infants from RSV.
If you're pregnant and have not yet been offered the RSV vaccine, it's advisable to contact your GP or maternity service to discuss vaccination options.
Please click and follow the link with up-to-date guidance signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
For infants at higher risk, such as those born prematurely or with certain health conditions, additional preventive measures may be considered. Healthcare providers can offer guidance on the most appropriate steps to protect these infants from RSV.
If you're pregnant and have not yet been offered the RSV vaccine, it's advisable to contact your GP or maternity service to discuss vaccination options.
Please click and follow the link with up-to-date guidance signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
In Pregnancy: Whooping Cough Vaccine
In Pregnancy (RSV) Respiratory syncytial virus
Please click and follow the link with up-to-date guidance signposted from BHC, containing public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
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