Know Your Vaccines
Vaccines are one of the safest and most effective ways to protect yourself, your family, and your community from serious diseases and can help at every stage of life.
Why Vaccinate?
- To prevent serious illnesses like flu, measles, and pneumonia
- To protect the more vulnerable, like babies and the elderly
- To reduce the spread of infections in the community
- To keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy
This page contains information about the free NHS vaccines that your practice offers for babies, children, and adults.
The NHS Vaccination Schedule
It’s important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection. The NHS vaccination schedule sets out when to have them. If you or your child missed a vaccine, contact your GP to catch up.
Vaccinations in pregnancy
Vaccines during pregnancy help protect you and your baby from serious illnesses like whooping cough, flu, and COVID-19. When you get vaccinated, your body passes on protection to your baby that lasts for the first few months of their life.
It is safe to have these vaccines at any stage of pregnancy, although some are recommended at specific weeks to give your baby the best start.
What should I do next?
- Speak to your midwife or GP if you have any questions.
- Read the NHS guide to vaccinations in pregnancy for a full list of recommended vaccines and when to have them.
Vaccines for Children and Young People
Vaccinations for your child
Keeping a record of your child’s vaccinations is a vital part of their healthcare. Your GP surgery offers all routine childhood immunisations in line with the NHS schedule.
Why vaccinations matter
Vaccines protect your child from serious diseases. These include:
- Common illnesses: such as Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), and Chickenpox.
- Serious infections: such as Polio, Meningitis (B and C), and Whooping Cough.
- Seasonal health: such as the Flu (Seasonal Influenza).
When should my child be vaccinated?
Your GP Practice will contact you when your child is due for a vaccination. Please view the full NHS vaccination schedule and age guide for more details.
NHS Vaccination Schedule and Age Guide
What if my child has missed a vaccine?
It is never too late to check. If you think your child has missed a vaccination, please contact your GP surgery. They can check their records and book an appointment to get them up to date.
Vaccines for Adults and Older People
Seasonal Vaccinations
Winter flu (influenza) vaccination
Influenza (flu) vaccination is important because, while flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even life-threatening for some, particularly those with certain health conditions. Getting vaccinated helps protect individuals from flu and relieves the pressure on the NHS and social care services.
Read more information on the flu vaccination on the NHS website.
COVID-19 vaccination
This vaccine helps protect against COVID-19, a virus which can cause a serious or life-threatening illness.
Getting the COVID vaccine can help reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms and help you recover more quickly if you catch COVID. It protects against different variants of the COVID virus and can help reduce your risk of hospitalisation if you become infected.
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccination on the NHS website.
Stay Well In Winter
For more details on who can get these vaccines and tips for staying healthy, visit the NHS Winter Health and Vaccinations website.
Other vaccines for adults
The shingles vaccine helps protect you from shingles—a common and often painful skin condition that can lead to long-term nerve pain.
Eligibility is currently expanding to include people aged 65 and over, those aged 70–79, and adults with weakened immune systems.
The RSV vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious breathing problems like pneumonia and bronchiolitis. It’s offered on the NHS if you’re pregnant, aged 75 or over, or live in a care home for older adults.
Helps protect against serious illnesses like pneumonia and septicaemia. It is usually offered to adults aged 65 and over, and people with certain long-term health conditions.