Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

| A | | B | | C | | D | | E | | F | | G | | H | | I | | J | | K | | L | | M |
| N | | O | | P | | Q | | R | | S | | T | | U | | V | | W | | X | | Y |

When should it be done? of Immunisation

Most vaccinations are given during childhood. Some are given more than once to maintain the level of antibodies – this ‘top-up’ is called a booster. 

Childhood vaccinations: the recommended timetable

At two, three and four months old:

  • Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, inactivated polio vaccine and Hib (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
  • Meningitis C

At around 13 months:

  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella (German Measles) (MMR)

3 to 5 years (pre-school):

  • Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, inactivated polio vaccine (DTaP/IPV)
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella (German Measles) (MMR)

13 to 18 years:

  • Diphtheria, tetanus and inactivate polio vaccine (Td/IPV)
  • Polio

Adult vaccinations are given in specific situations:

  • Tetanus – providing that the childhood vaccinations are up-to-date, a tetanus booster is only required for people who are at risk of contracting tetanus following injury.
  • Polio – boosters are advised every 10 years for health care workers who may be exposed to the disease.
  • Flu vaccine and/or pneumococcal vaccine is offered routinely to those over 65 years, and to other individuals at risk from flu or invasive pneumococcal disease.
  • Hepatitis B is offered to people who may come into contact with the disease, e.g. health care workers.

The new BCG immunisation programme (against TB) now identifies and vaccinates babies and older people who are most likely to catch TB, especially in those living in areas with a high rate of TB or whose parents or grandparents were born in a country where TB is common. BCG is no longer routinely given to children aged 10-14 years.

Vaccinations are available to people travelling to areas where they may be exposed to serious diseases such as malaria, typhoid or yellow fever.  Consult your GP well in advance of your departure for advice regarding which vaccines will be required for your trip. 

Depending on the disease being vaccinated against, the protection lasts from a few months to lifelong immunity.  The effectiveness of each vaccination varies from near total protection (for example, MMR with pre-school booster) to only partial protection from some diseases (e.g. typhoid fever).