The lifesaving vaccines you need at every age – and what to do if you’ve missed them

THERE are a range of lifesaving vaccines available on the NHS — but it can be hard to keep track of when you or a child needs each one.

From the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab to the flu vaccine, it is vital you make sure you’re up to date with your latest dose if you want to ensure you’re best protected.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, of the UKHSA said: “MMR vaccine coverage has been falling for the last decade with one out of 10 children starting school in England not protected and so there is a real risk that this outbreak could spread to other towns and cities.

“Measles is a nasty illness for most children and for some can be serious, but it is completely preventable.

“Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your children.”

If you or your child has missed one of the doses below, contact your GP to catch up.

Babies

Your baby should receive their first dose of three vaccines at eight months: the 6-in-1, rotavirus and MenB jabs.

The 6-in-1 helps protect against diphtheria, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), polio, tetanus and whooping cough.

The MenB vaccine helps protect against meningococcal group B bacteria, which are responsible for about nine in every 10 meningococcal infections in young children.

At 12 weeks, your baby should have their second doses of the 6-in-1 and rotavirus jab, as well as their first dose of the pneumococcal vaccine.

This helps protect against deadly meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia.

At 16 weeks, they should have their third dose of the 6-in-1 and a second dose of the MenB vaccine.

Children and teenagers

Your child should receive their first doses of the MMR and Hib/MenC vaccines when they’re one.

The latter helps protect against life threatening haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and the type of meningitis caused by group C bacteria infections.

They should also get their second pneumococcal vaccine and third MenB vaccine at this age.

From the age of two to 15, they are also eligible for a yearly flu vaccine.

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your children.

Dr Vanessa SalibaUKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist

They should receive their second MMR dose at the age of three and four months, as well as their 4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine.

This helps protect against diphtheria, polio, tetanus and whooping cough.

Girls and boys should get their HPV vaccine at the age of 12 to 13, which helps reduce the risk of cervical, mouth, anal and penile cancer.

At 14, they are eligible for the 3-in-1 teenage booster vaccine, which boosts protection against  tetanus, diphtheria and polio.

They should also get their MenACWY jab against deadly meningitis and septicaemia.

Adults

When you turn 65, you are eligible for a yearly flu vaccine, as well as the pneumococcal vaccine.

If you turned 65 on or after September 1 last year, you will also be eligible for the shingles vaccine, which helps protect against the painful condition.

You are eligible for it from the age of 70 to 79 if you turned 65 before that date.

Pregnant women are also eligible for the flu vaccine during flu seasons and a whooping cough jab from being 16 weeks into their pregnancy.