The first set of jabs your baby will be offered are their 8 week vaccinations on the NHS. These immunisations are free and you just need to book in with your GP to have them. The NHS says: "It's important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but if you or your child missed a vaccine, contact your GP to catch up."
It can be quite a daunting time for parents, so to help give you a good idea of what to expect at your appointment, which vaccinations your baby will receive, your baby's immunisation calendar, and advice on the side effects, we spoke to GP and Clinical Lead at Appt Health, Dr Alice Wood for her expert guidance.
What vaccines will my baby get at 8-weeks?
The first couple of months after giving birth will fly by, and we're sure you'll be lost in a haze of excitement and exhaustion. With so much to take in and do, keeping track of everything your baby needs can be overwhelming for new parents, but thankfully, you should be kept well-informed of important things like vaccinations by your health provider.
"Just before your baby turns 8 weeks, you should receive a notice to book their first set of vaccinations. These can often take place at your 6-8 week baby check. These vaccinations are the beginning of a number of vaccines your baby will be offered during their childhood and provide one of the best ways to protect your baby against dangerous and sometimes life-threatening infections." Says Dr Alice.
According to the NHS, your baby will receive the following vaccinations:
6-in-1 vaccine
This clever 6-in-1 vaccine protects against six serious childhood diseases in one jab. It’s injected into your baby’s thigh and will protect them against diphtheria, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, polio, tetanus and whooping cough.
It’s a very safe vaccine as it doesn’t contain any live organisms. Your baby will need a booster of this vaccine at 12 weeks and 16 weeks.
The NHS says most babies can have the 6-in-1 vaccine. Cases where they may not be able to have it are is they've had a serious reaction (called anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine, or if they've had a serious allergic reaction to anything in the vaccine (including neomycin, polymyxin, formaldehyde or polysorbate 80). They also say that if your child has a condition that affects the brain, like epilepsy, you should speak to your doctor, a nurse or health visitor before have the vaccine.
Rotavirus vaccine
Rotavirus is a highly infectious stomach bug that affects babies and young children. It commonly causes vomiting, fever, diarrhoea and stomach ache.
This is given to babies as an oral vaccine straight into their mouth in liquid form. They’ll need a booster of this at 12 weeks old.
MenB vaccine
This vaccine will protect your baby against meningococcal group B bacteria. This bacteria can lead to meningitis and sepsis in babies and young children so it’s very serious and a very important vaccine to get.
It’s given to baby at 8 weeks, 16 weeks and 1 year and is administered with an injection in the thigh.
What are the side effects?
There are a few common side effects that you may notice in your baby after their immunisations. These side effects are usually mild and settle on their own. The most common include:
• Pain and redness at the site of the injection – this is only a temporary side effect and is very normal. It isn't anything to worry about and should fade within a few days.
• A high temperature (a baby fever) – a temperature of over 38C is possible, especially after the MenB vaccine. Liquid paracetamol should help reduce a fever as well as extra feeds when they need it and keeping them cool by reducing layers.
• Crying or irritability – soothe any tears with some much deserved cuddles and a feed after their jabs.
• Diarrhoea – if they're experiencing tummy troubles, make sure they get plenty of rest and continue regular feeding as normal. If it's also causing sickness, aim to give them smaller feeds to help them keep any milk down.
• Fever – The MenB vaccine is particularly likely to cause a fever, so it is recommended that you give your baby a dose of liquid paracetamol after this set of vaccines.
If you're worried about side effects, Dr Alice says; "It is very rare for babies to have serious reactions to these vaccines. Although serious allergic reactions can occur very occasionally, these allergic reactions usually happen within a few minutes of the injection, where staff trained to treat emergencies such as this will be available."
How can I prepare my baby for their 8 week vaccinations?
Taking your baby for their vaccinations can be a scary time so it helps to be as prepared as possible for this appointment to help keep your baby calm when they have their jabs.
Dr Alice's top tips to help you prepare for their 8 week immunisations:
• Bring your baby’s red book / personalised child health record book to the appointment so the nurse can update it.
• Dress your baby in loose clothing that gives easy access to their thighs, which is usually where the injections will be given.
• Make sure you have a supply of liquid paracetamol ready for after the injections. This must not be given before their jab as the health practitioner will want to check for any signs of infection before they are vaccinated.
• Make time for the appointment, you will want to have time and space to comfort your baby after the injections and feeling rushed can add to any sense of stress or anxiety.
• If you have any specific concerns speak to your health visitor or GP in advance.
The NHS also says: "If your child has a high temperature, wait until they're feeling better before having the vaccine. If they are unwell but do not have a high temperature, check with a doctor, nurse or health visitor if they can still have the vaccine."
If you miss the 8-week milestone, book these vaccinations as soon as you remember or discuss any concerns with your health visitor or GP.
FAQs for your baby's 8 week vaccinations
Why is it important for my baby to have these vaccinations?
According to Dr Alice, before vaccinations were introduced, childhood infections caused thousands of child deaths each year. "It is really important for your baby’s health that they have these vaccinations" she says. "They provide protection against some of the most serious childhood infections that can have life-changing or life-threatening outcomes in babies and young children. The vaccinations help your baby to create their own protection or immunity against these infections. It is also important for babies to have these injections because it helps protect other children, the more children that are immune from an infection, the less that infection can survive in the environment."
What's in the vaccines?
Dr Alice says: "The most important ingredient in vaccinations is a small amount of the virus or bacteria that they protect against. This virus or bacteria has been killed or weakened during the process of making the vaccination so it does not cause that infection in your baby. It helps your baby’s body to recognise the virus or bacteria and create a defence response if it encounters it again. There are very small quantities of other ingredients used to help stabilise these vaccines but these are all safe in such small quantities. The Oxford Vaccine Group has useful information about these other ingredients."
How should I take care of my baby after their vaccines?
"Immediately after the injections your baby will be crying and upset so cuddles and perhaps a feed can help ease their distress. Be ready to give your baby a dose of liquid paracetamol (most mums give their baby some Calpol) to reduce the risk of developing a fever" says Dr Alice. "When you are prepared for the common side effects, it is less daunting if they occur so familiarise yourself with those mentioned above. Most importantly, remember that these injections are essential for your baby’s health and wellbeing so the long term protection is worth the short term distress they may cause."
What other vaccinations will my baby need after their 8 weeks vaccinations?
Your baby will also be expected to have more vaccinations at 12 weeks, 16 weeks and at 1 years old. You can find more information about these on the government website.
What if I’ve missed the 8-week mark?
According to Dr Alice, it's better to get your baby vaccinated later rather than never. "The timing of these vaccinations has been decided by experts based on when babies lose the protection given to them directly from their mother’s via the placenta (and in breast milk if you're breastfeeding), when childhood infections are most likely to occur and when babies’ bodies are ready to respond effectively to the vaccination," she says. "Therefore, 8 weeks is agreed as the best time for babies to have their first vaccinations. However, late is definitely better than never. If you miss the 8-week milestone, book these vaccinations as soon as you remember or discuss any concerns with your health visitor or GP."
Meet the experts
Alice Wood is a GP with over 10 years of clinical experience within both hospital and primary care settings.
Bryony Firth-Bernard graduated from the University of Gloucestershire with a first in Journalism, and went on to work as a reporter at Heart Radio West before becoming the lifestyle intern across Good Housekeeping, Prima and Red magazine.