Measles can make your child seriously ill. Vaccination is the best protection against becoming seriously unwell. Parents need to:
- Book a GP appointment if your child needs to catch up on their vaccinations
- check their red health book or check with a GP if you're unsure about your child's vaccination status,
Watch this video from UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) which explains how infectious measles is.
The best way to protect your child from diseases is to get them vaccinated. This page contains up to date information about childhood immunisations including information about the diseases they may be at risk of and details of when to get your child vaccinated.
For a detailed vaccinations schedule, have a look at this guide.
The Oxford Vaccine Group website has advice in other languages.
Vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and our children against ill health. They prevent up to 3 million deaths worldwide every year.
- Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either gone or seen very rarely.
- Immunisation prepares the body to fight serious infections that might happen in the future. Young babies are very vulnerable to infections, so they need to be protected as early as possible.
- Your child needs several different vaccines to be fully protected, so it’s important to complete their childhood immunisation programme.
However, if people stop having vaccines, it's possible for infectious diseases to quickly spread again.
For more information on how vaccines work visit the NHS website here
Also, see our common questions for parents and carers
The Oxford University Vaccine Knowledge project has further useful information (including about side effects) and stories. The material can be translated using the tool on the bottom left-hand.
It is important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection. Check your child's red health book or contact your GP if you're unsure which vaccines they've already had. 
For the full schedule of vaccinations that your child needs, go to:
NHS vaccinations and when to have them - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases. This page explains in detail how vaccines work, what they contain and the most common side effects Why vaccination is safe and important - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
The table below lists a quick overview of the diseases that the vaccines protect children from, including the most common symptoms of those diseases:
| Vaccine | Disease the vaccine protects against | Risks of not getting the vaccine - most common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| 6 in 1 |
Diphtheria - High temperature, sore throat, thick coating on back of tongue, nose and throat Hep B - Flu symptoms, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, jaundice, stomach pain Hib - Bacteria can cause other serious conditions like meningitis, septicaemia, pneumonia Polio - High Temperature, extreme tiredness, vomiting, musle pain Tetanus - Temperature, sweating, musle spasms, stiffness in jaw Whooping cough - Coughing up thick mucus, vomiting, gasping for breath |
|
| Flu Vaccine | Flu | Fever, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath |
| MMR |
Measles Mumps Rubella |
Cold-like symptoms, white spots in mouth, rash Painful swellings on side of the mouth Pink rash, swollen glands, temperature, aching joints, cold like symptoms. |
| Rotavirus Vaccine | Rotavirus | Stomach ache, diarrhoea, vomiting |
| HPV Vaccine | Human Papillovirus Virus | Infection can lead to cancer and genital warts |
| Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y |
4 strains of the meningococcal bacteria | Meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia). |
You'll usually be contacted by your GP surgery when your child is due for a routine vaccination. This could be a letter, text, phone call or email.
If you know your child is due for a vaccination, you can speak to your GP surgery to book the appointment. You do not need to wait to hear from them.
It could be at your GP surgery or a local child health clinic.
Further information on booking an appointment: Booking your child's vaccination appointment - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
If your child is not registered with a GP
If your child is not registered with a GP, you can still arrange a vaccination. Anyone in England can register with a GP surgery. It’s free to register. You do not need any proof of address or immigration status, ID or an NHS number.
You can find a GP local to you at www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp
You can either register your child online or call or email the GP surgery and ask to be registered as a patient.
How can I find out if my child is up to date with their vaccines?
You can contact your GP surgery to check if your child is up to date with their vaccinations. For children and babies, you can also check their personal child health record (the ‘Red Book’). If your child is not registered with a GP, you can still arrange a vaccination.
My child isn’t registered with a GP – how do I get them vaccinated?
If your child is not registered with a GP, you can still arrange a vaccination. Anyone in England can register with a GP surgery. It’s free to register. You do not need any proof of address or immigration status, ID or an NHS number.
You can find a GP local to you at www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp
You can either register your child online or call or email the GP surgery and ask to be registered as a patient. Once you are registered the NHS will let you know when you can book your polio appointment.
How are vaccines given?
Most vaccines are given to children as an injection. Some vaccines such as Rotavirus is given by mouth.
My child is unwell - should they still go for their vaccination?
Your child can still be vaccinated if they have a minor illness e.g. a cold without a high temperature
- If they have a high temperature, they should not be vaccinated. Make a new appointment when they are better.
Are vaccines safe for my child?
All vaccines are thoroughly tested to make sure they will not harm you or your child.
Find out more by watching this video: Why vaccination is safe and important - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
What to expect after vaccinations?
Find out more about common side effects and what to expect after vaccinations in babies and young children up to 5 years of age: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-to-expect-after-vaccinations
What if my child gets a fever after vaccination?
Fever can be expected after any vaccination. It is more common after the first two doses of the Meningococcal B (Men B) vaccination, which are given at 8 weeks and 16 weeks old.
If your child does develop a fever, this normally peaks around six hours after the vaccination and should settle within two days.
If your child still has a fever 48 hours after the vaccination, or if you are concerned about their health at any time, call your GP or dial 111. If you need urgent medical help call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department.
Will my child's vaccinations "overwhelm" their immune system?
Vaccinations will not overwhelm their immune system and do not make them more likely to get other infections.
Children only need to use a tiny part of their immune system to respond to vaccinations. Their immune system can still fight other infections if they pick something up at the same time.
Do vaccines contain porcine gelatin?
Porcine gelatine is in two routine vaccines for children:
The MMR (VaxPro®) vaccine. An alternative MMR vaccine (Priorix®) that does not contain porcine gelatine is available and is equally effective
The nasal influenza vaccine (Fluenz® Tetra). For healthy children, there is no equivalent vaccine. There are injectable flu vaccines that do not contain porcine gelatine but these are thought to be less effective in children
Speak to your practice nurse, GP or health visitor if you have concerns about gelatine.
Will catching the disease make my child's immune system stronger than a vaccine?
When your child is infected with a bacteria or virus, their immune system learns to defend against that same infection in the future. However, some infections can cause serious illness and even death.
Vaccinations provide long-lasting defence against infection by teaching your child’s immune system to fight a specific bacteria or virus, but do this without the potentially harmful effects of an infection.
Is the MMR vaccine linked with autism?
No. There is no link between the MMR and autism. Studies of hundreds of thousands of children have shown that the MMR vaccine does not cause or increase the risk of your child developing autism.
Visit The Oxford Vaccine Group at Oxford University website for more information: [MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine) | Vaccine Knowledge (ox.ac.uk)].