NHS Borders Vaccination Hub 01896 809 250
One less thing: Childhood vaccination
Throughout your child’s early years, they will be offered a number of routine vaccines between the ages of 0-4 years old. These vaccines are designed to protect them from a range of serious diseases such as polio, tetanus and many more. Many of the diseases these vaccines protect against are now rare in Scotland thanks to successful vaccination programmes. This is why you may not have heard of some of them.
However, uptake of childhood vaccinations in Scotland has declined over the past decade, especially among babies and pre‑school children. When fewer children are vaccinated, these diseases can return and spread more easily.
Some of the diseases prevented by vaccines can lead to long-term health problems, and others can even be life-threatening. Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to keep children protected as they are proven to save lives by reducing the spread of disease.
We also acknowledge that being a parent can be tough and at times it can feel overwhelming. When you’re tired and stretched, the important decisions can feel hard to make. But knowing your child is vaccinated and protected means it’s one less thing to worry about, leaving you free to deal with everything else that comes your way.
Immunisation is the safest and most effective way of protecting children against serious diseases.
Children aged 0 – 6 are routinely vaccinated against:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Haemophilus influenza type b (hib)
- Hepatisis B (HepB)
- Rotavirus
- Meningitis B (MenB)
- Pneumococcal diseases
- Meningitis C
- Measles (click here for FAQs)
- Mumps
- Rubella (german measles)
For full details of the schedule of vaccinations in Scotland by age, please refer to NHS Inform.
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Where clinics take place
Vaccinations are given by NHS Borders nurses in health centres across the Borders.
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How to make and change appointments
NHS Borders Child Health team will identify when a child is due for vaccination and will send the child/parent a letter inviting them to an appointment. The letter will state the appointment date, time, location, which vaccinations are due, and how to get in touch if you are unable to attend an appointment.
Please contact NHS Borders Child Health team (01896 825 531) to discuss an appointment.
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On the day
Please bring your appointment letter and your child’s red book (personal child health record) to the appointment.
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More information
Your child’s health visitor will be happy to offer advice about vaccinations.