Immunisations and vaccinations help keep you and the people around you safe and healthy. It is important that they are up to date as they protect against serious diseases. Most immunisations are given when children are babies, or before they start school, but there are also some which are given when they are teenagers. You can also receive missed doses as an adult, contact your GP (family doctor) for further information. Here is a list of the NHS recommended vaccinations:
Flu vaccinations
These are given automatically to children at nursery and school between the ages of 2 and 8. It is given as a spray up the nose, so no injections are needed.
Adults are also encouraged to get the flu vaccination during winter to help protect them and their family from the flu virus, particularly if they are at higher risk of complications if they become ill. These include: people over 65, pregnant women and people with a serious medical condition who all get it for free from their GP practice.
For everyone else it costs between £10 and £20, depending on which chemist or pharmacy you visit.
You can find out more about flu vaccinations on the NHS Choices website:
Child Flu Vaccinations
Adult Flu Vaccinations
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination
The MMR is a safe and effective combined vaccine. It protects against 3 serious illnesses: measles, mumps and rubella (german measles). These highly infectious conditions can easily spread between unvaccinated people, so getting vaccinated is important, as these conditions can also lead to serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.
2 doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The NHS guidelines are that:
- Everyone aged 5 and over can get a 1st and 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- People aged 16 and over, and some children aged 12 to 15, can also get a booster dose.
- People aged 5 and over who had a severely weakened immune system when they had their first 2 doses, will be offered a 3rd dose before any booster doses.
- Some people, including those aged 50 years or over, those at higher risk or who are pregnant, and frontline health and social care workers, will be offered a seasonal booster (autumn booster).
You can find out more about getting a COVID-19 vaccine here:
How to get a COVID-19 Vaccine
