Vaccinations and immunisations
Vaccines are the best way to protect you and your family against many serious infections. Most are free on the NHS.
Book a vaccination
To book, or if you or your child have missed a vaccine, contact us through the usual routes: the NHS App, by phone on 01328 701568 or at reception. Most missed vaccines can still be given, so it is never too late to ask.
Babies and young children
Babies and young children are offered vaccines at these ages:
| Age | Vaccines |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 6-in-1 vaccine, rotavirus vaccine, MenB vaccine |
| 12 weeks | 6-in-1 vaccine, rotavirus vaccine, MenB vaccine |
| 16 weeks | 6-in-1 vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine |
| 1 year | MMRV vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox), pneumococcal vaccine, MenB vaccine |
| 18 months | 6-in-1 vaccine, MMRV vaccine |
| 3 years 4 months | 4-in-1 pre-school booster, MMRV vaccine |
The exact vaccines your child is offered can depend on their date of birth, because the schedule changed in 2025 and 2026. Children aged 2 and over are also offered a flu vaccine every year (see flu). Some babies are offered extra vaccines, such as hepatitis B or BCG (tuberculosis), and you will be told if your baby needs these.
Older children and teenagers
- 2 years until the end of Year 11: children's flu vaccine, every year
- 12 to 13 years: HPV vaccine
- 14 years: 3-in-1 teenage booster (Td/IPV) and MenACWY vaccine
Starting college or university
Before starting college or university, check you have had the MenACWY vaccine (you can ask us up to your 25th birthday), 2 doses of the MMR vaccine and the HPV vaccine. Some young people are also offered the MenB vaccine. Check which vaccines you can have
Pregnancy
Vaccines in pregnancy protect you and your baby in the first months of life:
- Flu vaccine during flu season
- Whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine from around 20 weeks
- RSV vaccine from 28 weeks
Adults aged 65 and over
- 65 and over: flu vaccine every year, and a pneumococcal vaccine
- Shingles vaccine: if you turned 65 on or after 1 September 2023, or you are aged 70 to 79
- 75 and over: RSV vaccine, and COVID-19 vaccine (usually in spring and winter)
Long-term conditions and weakened immune system
If you have certain health conditions, such as diabetes, a heart, lung, kidney or liver condition, a weakened immune system or no working spleen, you may be offered extra vaccines, for example flu, pneumococcal, COVID-19, shingles or RSV. Ask us which vaccines are right for you. Vaccines for people with health conditions
Flu and COVID-19
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are offered each autumn and winter to people who are eligible. See our latest flu and COVID-19 news for who can have them this winter.
Travel vaccines
If you are travelling abroad, ask us about vaccines at least 4 to 6 weeks before you go. Some travel vaccines are free on the NHS, including cholera, hepatitis A, typhoid and the polio booster. Others, such as hepatitis B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis and yellow fever, usually have to be paid for, at a travel clinic or pharmacy. Travel vaccinations on the NHS website
Page last reviewed: 28 October 2026