What happens at your child’s appointment?

You’ll receive a letter from the NHS inviting your child to each vaccination appointment. Some health boards also run special immunisation clinics. It’s important to bring your child to every appointment to help protect them from serious diseases.

If you need to rearrange your child’s appointment, call the number on their invitation letter. You can also contact your local NHS immunisation team to change the appointment.

If you move home, let your GP surgery know your new address as soon as possible. This will make sure you do not miss your child’s invitation letters.

What happens at the appointment?

The healthcare professional will explain the vaccination process to you, and answer any questions.

There are some things you can do to make the appointment easier for you and your child.

It’s not unusual to be nervous about or afraid of getting vaccinated. Many people are. If you’re afraid of needles and feel anxious, try to stay as calm as you can. This will help your child know there’s nothing to fear.

What if I miss the appointment?

If your child misses an appointment, you can arrange a new one. It’s recommended that your child gets their vaccines as soon as possible when invited. Some vaccines, like the rotavirus vaccine, have an upper age limit.

What if a child is ill on the day of the appointment?

If a child has a minor illness without a fever, like a cold, they should have their immunisations as normal. If the child you’re bringing is ill with a fever, delay the immunisation until they’ve recovered.

The health professional will explain the vaccination process to you, and answer any questions you have.

If the child you’re bringing has a bleeding disorder or has had a fit not associated with fever, they can receive immunisations but may need additional care. Speak to your GP, practice nurse or health visitor before the child has any vaccination.