Vaccinations, Immunisations and Inoculations

Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. They work by training your immune system to develop antibodies that protect you from disease.

All vaccines are extensively researched and tested before they are approved for use. Their effectiveness and side effects are also regularly monitored. Existing vaccines are also amended or improved to combat new or dominant strains of certain conditions.

Every year, more than 3 million lives are saved by vaccinations.

Despite this, misinformation anti-vaccine stories often circulate online, primarily through social media. These stories are often without any scientific backing.

Avoiding or delaying vaccines is detrimental to your health, especially in childhood. The World Health Organisation lists vaccine hesitancy as one of the biggest threats to world health.

NHS vaccination schedule

The NHS routine immunisation programme can change as new vaccines are brought in or eligibility changes. This is the current complete immunisation schedule as of 1st July 2024.

From 1st July 2025, the routine childhood immunisation schedule will change depending on when babies are born.