Babies (0 to 13 months)
This section provides information about recommended immunisations for babies aged 0 to 13 months.
A guide to childhood immunisations for babies up to 13 months of age is a leaflet intended for health professionals to give to parents. It provides information on all the routine immunisations given to babies and young children to protect them from serious childhood diseases. It also describes these diseases and explains why children need protection against them.
Recommended vaccines for babies at two, three and four months include:
DTaP/IPV/Hib
Frequency: at two, three and four months old
Protects against: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenza type b
MenC
Frequency: at three and four months old
Protects against: meningococcal group C bacteria
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)
Frequency: at two to four months old
Protects against: pneumococcal infection
Recommended vaccines for babies around 12 to 13 months include:
Hib/MenC
Frequency: a booster at 12 to 13 months
Protects againts: Haemophilus influenza type b and meningococcal group C
MMR
Frequency: at around 13 months old (with a later pre-school booster)
Protects against: measles, mumps, and rubella
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)
Frequency: a booster at 12 to 13 months
Protects against: pneumococcal infection
Other immunisations for babies up to 13 months include:
BCG
Frequency: BCG vaccine is offered for those babies who are more likely than others to come into contact with Tuberculosis. The vaccine is usually offered while you and your baby are still in hospital, but it can be given later.
Protects against: Tuberculosis
Hepatitis B
Protects against: Hepatitis B
Frequency: The vaccine is offered to babies whose mothers are Hepatitis B positive. Doses are given shortly after birth, at one month and at two months. A booster is given when the baby is 12 months old.
If you want more information on vaccines and immunisations, speak to your doctor, health visitor or nurse or call the NHS Helpline, Freephone on 0800 22 44 88.
For copies of any Health Scotland publication please contact your local Health Promotion Department or contact publications@health.scot.nhs.uk. Alternative versions are also available in braille, audio format and community languages.