Health Protection Community Grant

Preconception and in pregnancy 

During pregnancy, your immune system is suppressed to help protect the baby. This can mean you're less able to fight off infections. As the pregnancy develops, you may be unable to breathe as deeply as you did before, and respiratory infections can result in a slightly increased risk of complications. 

Having all of your maternity vaccinations whilst pregnant helps protect you and our child during pregnancy, and it can offer protection to your newborn baby too.  

Speak to your midwife, GP practice or health team and make sure you have them at the best time for you. 

Covid-19 and flu vaccines

• Pregnant women are more likely to get flu and COVID-19 complications than women who are not pregnant. They are also more likely to be admitted to hospital with flu and with COVID-19 
• Most pregnant women with COVID-19 who need hospital treatment or intensive care in the UK have not been vaccinated 
• If you get COVID-19 or flu late in your pregnancy, your baby could also be at risk of preterm birth and stillbirth 
• Having the flu and COVID-19 vaccine means you're less likely to get these infections 
• It's safe to have these vaccines during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date. 

Whooping cough

Whooping cough rates have increased over recent years and young babies are at greatest risk. 

• Pregnant women can help protect their babies by getting vaccinated. The immunity you get from the vaccine will pass to your baby through the placenta 
• You should ideally have the vaccine between 16 weeks and 32 weeks pregnant 
• This vaccine will protect your baby in the early weeks until they are old enough to be vaccinated as part of the routine childhood vaccination programme. 

RSV 

The RSV vaccine is recommended in pregnancy to give your new baby the best protection against a lung infection called bronchiolitis. In small babies this condition can make it hard to breathe and to feed. In England, around 20,000 infants are admitted to hospital each year with bronchiolitis and some will need intensive care. 

• The vaccine is recommended around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment  
• Having the RSV vaccine whilst you are pregnant will boost your protection. The antibodies that your body produces will be passed to your unborn baby. These antibodies will help protect your baby against RSV from when they are born. 

For more information on vaccination in pregnancy, visit https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/672b7a27541e1dfbf71e8c7a/UKHSA_12977_Pregnancy_Immunisations_leaflet_refresh_12_WEB.pdf 

Preschool and childhood vaccinations 

Vaccinations help to protect you and your child from many serious and potentially deadly diseases. 

• It helps protect other people in your family and community by helping to stop diseases spreading to people who cannot have vaccines, such as babies too young to be vaccinated and those who are too ill to be vaccinated. 
• Vaccines can sometimes cause mild side effects that will not last long. You may feel a bit unwell and have a sore arm for 2 or 3 days. 
• Sometimes parents choose not to vaccinate, but then later decide to make sure their child is protected. 
• It's best for your child to have their vaccinations according to the NHS vaccination schedule, but it's never too late to check if they can still have them. 

You will usually be contacted by your GP surgery when your child is due for their routine vaccination. You may be contacted by letter, text, phone call or email.  

Vaccinations given to your child at your GP practice: 

• Three vaccinations at 8 weeks old: 6-in-1 vaccine (1st dose), Rotavirus vaccine, MenB vaccine 
• Three vaccinations at 12 weeks old: 6-in-1 vaccine (2nd dose), Rotavirus vaccine (2nd dose), Pneumococcal vaccine (1st dose) 
• Two vaccinations at 16 weeks: 6-in-1 (3rd dose), MenB vaccine (2nd dose) 
• Four vaccinations at 1 year old: Hib/Men C vaccine (1st dose), MMR* vaccine (1st dose), Pneumococcal  vaccine (2nd dose), MenB vaccine (3rd dose)  
• Once a year from age 2 until your child starts school in Reception: Influenza (flu) vaccine 
• Two vaccinations at 3 years 4 months old: 4-in 1 vaccine, MMR vaccine (2nd dose) 

Vaccinations given to your child at school: 

• Once a year from reception to Year 11: Annual flu vaccine. This can be either nasal spray OR the injectable version of the vaccine that does not contain pork gelatine. 
• Year 8: HPV vaccination. This is now offered to both boys and girls.  It protects against e Human Papilloma virus (HPV) that can cause cancers of the mouth throat, genital area and cervix. 
• Year 9: 3-in-1 teenage booster vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio) and Meningitis ACWY vaccine. 
• MMR vaccine ‘catch up’ for children who have not had 2 doses. 
• Year 8 and 9: MMR vaccine catch-up. This vaccination is offered to those who have not had 2 doses of the MMR vaccination usually given before starting primary school.  

If you your chid has missed any of their childhood vaccinations, please contact your GP surgery to make sure your child is up to date with all of their vaccinations. 

Vaccinations for older adults

As we get older, our immune systems tend to weaken, putting us at higher risk for certain diseases. All adults particularly those aged 65 and over should make sure they are up-to-date with any vaccines they are eligible for to reduce the risk of vaccine preventable illness. 

• All adults over the age of 65 are recommended to have a one-off PPV vaccine which is protective against serious illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis. 
• All adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system are encouraged to have a one-off Shingles vaccine. 
• As winter approaches, it is important for those eligible to have the annual flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster. 
• Those aged between 75-79 are eligible to have the RSV vaccination which helps protect against the RSV virus (a common cause of coughs and colds but can cause serious illnesses in older adults). 

Pneumococcal vaccine (PPV) 

• Pneumococcal infections are caused by bacteria which can lead to pneumonia, blood poisoning (sepsis) and meningitis. 
• These infections are often serious and potentially fatal. The pneumococcal vaccine or PPV protects against pneumococcal infections. 
• The PPV vaccine is available for all adults over 65 years old from a GP surgery 
• The PPV vaccine is also available for people who are at high risk due to long-term health conditions such as COPD, heart disease and diabetes 

Shingles 

• Shingles is a common, painful skin disease, caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus you may have had when you were younger. 
• Shingles causes a burning sensation in the skin, followed by a painful rash or blisters developing on the skin. Some people are left with pain lasting for years after the initial rash has healed.  
• The shingles vaccine can reduce your risk of getting shingles and reduce the severity of symptoms if you do catch shingles 

RSV 

• The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 
• RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds. Most people get it several times during their life. 
• It usually gets better by itself, but in some people (especially babies and older adults) it can cause illnesses such as pneumonia (a lung infection) 
• Getting RSV can also make your symptoms worse if you have a lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). 
• The RSV vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious breathing problems like pneumonia and bronchiolitis. 

Vaccinations for high-risk groups 

Some vaccines are only available on the NHS for groups of people who need extra protection. 

More information on when to have each vaccine