Youngsters are offered a number of different vaccinations in childhood. At 8 weeks, babies are offered the 6-in-1, rotavirus and MenB vaccines. At 12 weeks, they are offered the second dose of their 6-in-1 and rotavirus vaccines, and the pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine, and at 16 weeks they are offered the third dose of their 6-in-1 vaccine and the second dose of the MenB vaccine.
One year olds are offered the first dose of the MMR and Hib/MenC vaccines, the second dose of the pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine and the third dose of the MenB vaccine.
At 3 years and 4 months, children are offered the second dose of the MMR vaccine and the 4-in-1 pre-school booster.
The HPV vaccine is offered to 12 and 13 year olds, while 14 year-olds are offered the MenACWY vaccine and a 3-in-1 teenage booster.
Flu vaccinations will be available this autumn for 2 to 3 year olds, primary aged children and those in Year 7, 8 and 9, while 5 to 15 year olds are eligible for a first and second Covid-19 vaccination.
For details of the childhood vaccination schedule, please visit NHS vaccinations and when to have them.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “For decades, vaccinations have protected our children and young people from potentially serious diseases, including measles, flu, meningitis and mumps and, by the time they leave school, a child will have been offered vaccinations against numerous different diseases or infections."
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Starting nursery and school for the first time, or returning after a long break like the summer holidays, increases the risk of exposure to infectious diseases.
“That's why it is vital your children have their vaccinations as soon as they are eligible for them, so please make time over the summer holidays if your child needs anything.
“If you think your child has missed a vaccination, check their Red Book. If you don’t have the Red Book to hand, don’t worry – simply contact your GP to check. You can ask for an appointment for their jab to be arranged so that you can make sure they have maximum protection against disease.”
Mum Sandeep Kaur has ensured her son Gurshan, two, has had the vaccinations he is due before he starts Nishkam Nursery School in September. She said: “I want Gurshan to be able to lead a very full and healthy life and so it was important for me to ensure he is fully vaccinated to protect against disease as he starts school and mixes with others in the community.”
