Is your child up to date with their vaccinations?

Routine childhood immunisations are free on the NHS and protect children against diseases that can make them very unwell and even put them in hospital. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimates that childhood vaccinations prevent around 5,000 deaths and more than 228,000 hospital admissions in England every year.

Illnesses like measles are serious and spread very easily between children who are not vaccinated. If your child is not vaccinated it will leave them unprotected against these diseases that are easily preventable.

In January 2026, the NHS introduced protection against chickenpox into the childhood vaccination programme – with the MMRV vaccine now protecting children against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.

The MMRV vaccine is now usually given in two doses – one at 12 months and one at 18 months old, to ensure more children are fully protected before starting school. So if your child is approaching their first birthday, look out for your invitation from your GP practice to come in and have them vaccinated. 

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Information on Adult vaccinations?

Staying up to date with adult vaccinations is one of the safest and most effective ways to protect yourself from serious illnesses. Vaccines continue to prevent diseases such as pneumonia, shingles and seasonal infections like flu and COVID‑19, especially as immunity can weaken with age or long‑term conditions. They are rigorously tested, closely monitored, and help protect both you and those around you. 

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Respiratory Syncytial (pronounced Sin- sich-al) Virus or (RSV)

 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an enveloped RNA virus, in the same family as the human parainfluenza viruses and mumps and measles viruses. RSV is one of the common viruses that cause coughs and colds in winter. RSV is transmitted by large droplets and by secretions from contact with an infected person.

Infants under one year of age and the elderly are at the greatest risk of developing severe disease. While most RSV infections usually cause mild illness, infants aged less than 6 months frequently develop the most severe disease such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which may result in hospitalisation. 

From 1 September 2024, 2 new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programmes will be introduced:

Programme for older adults aged 75 to 79 years old

All adults turning 75 years old on or after 1 September 2024 will be eligible for the routine programme and should be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine. A one-off catch-up campaign for those already aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 September 2024 will be undertaken at the earliest opportunity.

Programme for pregnant women to protect infants

All women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant (the eligible cohort) on 1 September 2024, will be offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine. After that, pregnant women will become eligible as they reach 28 weeks gestation and remain eligible up to birth.