Why are vaccinations so important?
As children grow up, they can be exposed to infections. Most of these only cause mild illnesses. However, despite great medical advances, some infections can still cause severe illness, disability and, at times, death.
The benefit of immunisation is that your child has the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases.
Once your child is immunised they're also helping to protect the health of the whole community. When enough people are immunised against an infection, it's more difficult for it to be spread to those who aren’t immunised. This is important because children with some severe medical conditions and allergies can't have certain immunisations.
If the thought of taking your child to be vaccinated is worrying you, here are some tips to make your appointment go as smoothly as possible.
How will I know when my child needs immunised?
The thought of getting your baby vaccinated may be stressful – but not as stressful as the thought of your baby getting ill! Diseases can be particularly serious in young babies, so it's important to make sure your wee one is protected as early as possible, to prevent them from catching these diseases.
What immunisations will my baby be offered?
Their first immunisation is offered at 8 weeks old (around 2 months). They'll be offered further doses of these immunisations when they're 12 weeks (around 3 months) and 16 weeks old (around 4 months). You can find out more about these immunisations and why they’re so important on the NHS Inform website.
Your baby will then be offered a further immunisation when they’re between 12 and 13 months old.
These immunisations protect your baby against a wide range of nasty diseases, including polio, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, septicaemia, meningitis, measles, mumps and rubella. Some of these require several doses to build up your child’s immunity. So while it may seem like a lot of vaccinations, they’re all really important for helping keep your baby safe.
What immunisations will my pre-schooler be offered?
When your child is aged around 3 years and 4 months they’ll be offered another round to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella. You can find out more about these immunisations on the NHS Inform website.
How will I know when my child needs immunised?
Your local health board will send you a letter with information about when and how your baby can get their immunisations, but if you have any questions you can find out how to contact your local vaccination service here.
You can find out more about all these immunisations on the NHS Inform website.
Child flu vaccine
Flu can be serious, even for healthy children. Getting the flu vaccine offers the best possible protection.
The flu vaccine is a quick, painless nasal spray and will just feel like a little tickle up their nose. And it helps prevent your child getting sick with flu and needing time off school or away from their activities.
Visit nhsinform.scot/childflu to find out more.
Primary and secondary school pupils
All primary and secondary school pupils will be offered the flu vaccine at school. So look out for consent forms sent home from school – the forms should be completed and returned to school as soon as you can.
Children aged 2-5
All children aged 2-5 who are not yet in school are being offered the flu vaccine, which will be given as a painless nasal spray. An appointment letter with information about your child’s vaccination appointment will be arriving soon.
This short video explains more about what to expect when your child has their flu vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccine is important in helping to protect people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness.
An initial two-dose course of the COVID-19 vaccine has been offered to everyone aged 5 years and over (they must have turned 5 by 31st August 2022). This offer will end on 30 June 2023 for people aged 5–49 years without an eligible health condition.
Some children may be eligible for additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as a Spring Booster, if they have a condition that means they are at higher risk of COVID-19. For the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccine for 5 to 15 years olds visit the NHS inform website.
NHS Scotland is now offering children aged 6 months to 4 years (on 1 April 2023) at higher risk of COVID-19 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. NHS Scotland is contacting parents and carers of eligible children over the coming weeks with more information about their vaccine appointment. To find out more and for the latest information visit the NHS inform website.
Vaccinations for young people aged 11+
Teen rolling up their sleeve to be vaccinated
In addition to the flu and COVID-19 vaccines (if they’re eligible for this), your child will be offered 4 sets of immunisations in secondary school. It’s really important that your child gets all the vaccines they’re offered, to help prevent them getting ill.
- The Td/IPV vaccine completes the 5 doses required for long-term protection against tetanus, diphtheria and polio. Your child will get this when they’re between 13-18 years old.
- The HPV vaccine helps protects against HPV-related cancers, like cervical cancer, head and neck cancer and genital cancers. It also protects against genital warts. Your child will be offered it when they’re in S1. You can find out more about the HPV vaccine here.
- The meningitis ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine helps protect against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). Your child will get this vaccine when they’re in S3.
- If your child didn’t have two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine when they were younger, they should have a second dose when they’re in secondary school. Contact your GP if you’re not sure how many doses your child has had.
Do boys need to get the HPV vaccine?
Yes! We often associate the HPV vaccine with preventing cervical cancer, but it also protects from head and neck cancer and cancers of the penis and anus, so it’s just as important that boys get the vaccine too.
How will I know when my child needs immunised?
Young people usually get these vaccines in school, but if they miss their appointment they’ll be able to get them at a later date. The NHS Inform website has more information about all these immunisations and why they’re so important. It also has contact details for your local vaccine service if you have any questions.
Immunisations during pregnancy
The best way to protect yourself and your baby from serious disease and illness is to get the recommended vaccines at the right time. NHS Scotland recommends that pregnant women should have the COVID-19, flu and whooping cough vaccines. Ask you midwife for more information on how to get your vaccines. You can find out more about the immunisations offered during pregnancy and why they’re so important on the NHS Inform website.
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