Routine childhood vaccinations are one of the most effective ways of protecting children from serious infectious diseases. They have prevented millions of deaths worldwide and have dramatically reduced illnesses that once caused significant disability and loss of life.
At The Medical Centre, we are committed to providing evidence-based information to help parents and carers make informed decisions about their child’s health. Please review the information below and if you have any further questions or concerns please contact us for a discussion with a member of our clinical team.
Childhood Vaccinations - Essential information (7 languages available)
The NHS Childhood Immunisation Programme has an excellent safety record and provides protection against diseases that can still cause severe illness, hospital admission, lifelong disability and, in some cases, death.
Why are childhood vaccinations important?
Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases because their immune systems are still developing.
Vaccinations work by safely teaching the immune system to recognise and fight infections before a child is exposed to them naturally. This allows the body to respond quickly if it encounters the disease in the future, greatly reducing the risk of serious illness.
Many infectious diseases that were once common in the UK are now rare because of widespread vaccination. However, these diseases have not disappeared. When vaccination rates fall, outbreaks can occur, as has recently been seen with measles in parts of the UK.
Vaccination remains the safest and most effective way to protect children from these preventable diseases.
Diseases prevented by routine childhood vaccination
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Whooping cough (Pertussis)
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Hepatitis B
- Rotavirus
- Pneumococcal disease
- Meningococcal disease (MenB and MenACWY)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Seasonal influenza (eligible children)
What are the risks of not vaccinating?
Depending on the infection, this may result in:
- Hospital admission
- Intensive care treatment
- Serious long-term complications
- Permanent disability
- Time away from nursery or school
- Transmission of infection to vulnerable family members or others within the community
During outbreaks of diseases such as measles, children who are not fully vaccinated may also be advised to remain away from school or childcare settings to reduce the spread of infection.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles. Prevention through vaccination remains the most effective protection.
The safety of childhood vaccines
The safety of vaccines is continually monitored and reviewed.
Before a vaccine is introduced into the NHS programme it undergoes:
- Extensive laboratory research
- Large clinical trials
- Independent assessment by expert regulators
- Ongoing safety monitoring once in routine use
Millions of children receive routine vaccinations safely every year.
Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects, but these are usually mild and short-lived.
Common side effects include:
- Redness or soreness at the injection site
- Mild fever
- Irritability
- Feeling tired for a day or two
Serious allergic reactions are extremely rare and vaccination clinics are fully equipped to recognise and treat them immediately.
The risks associated with vaccine-preventable diseases are far greater than the risks associated with vaccination.
Common questions/Myth busting
Do vaccines cause autism?
No.
This concern originated from a study published in 1998 which has since been shown to be fraudulent and was withdrawn from publication.
Since then, numerous high-quality studies involving millions of children across several countries have found no evidence that the MMR vaccine or any routine childhood vaccine causes autism.
Can vaccines overload a baby’s immune system?
No.
From birth, babies are exposed to thousands of bacteria and viruses every day.
The number of antigens contained within modern vaccines is extremely small in comparison and represents only a tiny fraction of what a healthy immune system manages naturally.
Receiving several vaccines during the same appointment is safe and has been extensively studied.
Is natural infection better than vaccination?
No.
Although natural infection can sometimes produce immunity, it does so by exposing a child to potentially serious illness and its complications.
Vaccination provides protection without exposing children to these unnecessary risks.
Are these diseases still around?
Yes.
Although vaccination has made many diseases uncommon in the UK, they continue to circulate in other parts of the world and can be imported through international travel.
Recent outbreaks of measles across Europe and the UK demonstrate why maintaining high vaccination rates remains so important.
Why is it important to vaccinate on time?
The NHS vaccination schedule has been carefully designed by experts to provide protection at the earliest age that children are at greatest risk from these infections.
Delaying vaccinations leaves children unprotected for longer.
If your child has missed any vaccinations, it is usually possible to arrange a catch up appointment.
Protecting the wider community
Vaccination not only protects your own child but also helps protect those who are most vulnerable, including:
- Babies who are too young to receive certain vaccinations
- Older adults
- Pregnant women
- People with weakened immune systems due to illness or medical treatment
This indirect protection is known as community (herd) immunity and plays an important role in preventing outbreaks of infectious disease.
Further advice
If you have any questions about childhood vaccinations, please speak to one of our GPs, practice nurses or healthcare assistants. We are happy to discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination and provide evidence-based information to support you in making an informed decision.