Vaccines & immunisations
Vaccines and immunisations explained
Clear, referenced, NHS-first guides to vaccines — what each one protects against, who it is offered to, how it works and how safe it is. 40 vaccines and growing.
Adult
Pneumococcal VaccineThe pneumococcal vaccine protects against pneumococcal bacteria, which can cause pneumonia… Shingles VaccineThe shingles vaccine protects older adults against shingles — a painful rash caused by the… Hepatitis B VaccineThe hepatitis B vaccine protects against a serious liver infection spread through blood an… RSV VaccineThe RSV vaccine protects against respiratory syncytial virus, a common cause of chest infe… Mpox VaccineThe mpox vaccine helps protect against mpox (formerly monkeypox), a viral infection causin… Vaccines for Older AdultsOlder adults are offered several vaccines — including flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal, shingle… Vaccines and a Weakened Immune SystemPeople with a weakened immune system may need extra vaccines and should usually avoid live… Vaccines for Healthcare WorkersHealthcare workers are offered vaccines such as hepatitis B, flu, COVID-19 and MMR to prot… Catch-Up VaccinationsIf you or your child have missed vaccines, it is usually possible to catch up — contact yo… Vaccines Without a SpleenPeople without a working spleen need extra vaccines — especially against pneumococcus, Hib…
Childhood
MMR VaccineThe MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella — three serious infections. It… HPV VaccineThe HPV vaccine protects against the human papillomavirus, which causes almost all cervica… Meningitis VaccinesMeningitis vaccines protect against bacteria that cause meningitis and blood poisoning (se… Tetanus VaccineThe tetanus vaccine protects against tetanus, a serious infection from bacteria in soil an… Childhood Immunisation ScheduleThe childhood immunisation schedule is the routine timetable of vaccines offered free to b… 6-in-1 VaccineThe 6-in-1 vaccine protects babies against six serious infections in a single injection, g… Rotavirus VaccineThe rotavirus vaccine protects babies against a common cause of severe diarrhoea and vomit… MenB VaccineThe MenB vaccine protects babies against meningococcal group B, a major cause of meningiti… MenACWY VaccineThe MenACWY vaccine protects against four groups of meningococcal bacteria that cause meni… Hib/MenC VaccineThe Hib/MenC vaccine is a booster given at around 1 year to protect against Haemophilus in… 4-in-1 Preschool BoosterThe 4-in-1 preschool booster tops up protection against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping coug… 3-in-1 Teenage BoosterThe 3-in-1 teenage booster tops up protection against tetanus, diphtheria and polio, given… BCG VaccineThe BCG vaccine protects against tuberculosis (TB). In the UK it is offered to babies and … Chickenpox VaccineThe chickenpox vaccine protects against chickenpox (varicella). It is offered to certain g… Children’s Nasal Flu VaccineChildren are offered a yearly flu vaccine as a quick, painless nasal spray, protecting the… Polio VaccineThe polio vaccine protects against polio, a virus that can cause paralysis. In the UK it i… Diphtheria VaccineThe diphtheria vaccine protects against a serious bacterial infection of the throat and ai…
Pregnancy
Seasonal
Travel
Travel VaccinesTravel vaccines protect against infections more common in certain countries, such as typho… Hepatitis A VaccineThe hepatitis A vaccine protects against a liver infection spread through contaminated foo… Rabies VaccineThe rabies vaccine protects against rabies, a virus spread by animal bites that is almost … Typhoid VaccineThe typhoid vaccine protects against typhoid fever, a serious infection spread through con… Yellow Fever VaccineThe yellow fever vaccine protects against a serious viral infection spread by mosquitoes, … Cholera VaccineThe cholera vaccine protects against cholera, a serious diarrhoeal illness from contaminat… Japanese Encephalitis VaccineThe Japanese encephalitis vaccine protects against a mosquito-borne brain infection found … Tick-Borne Encephalitis VaccineThe TBE vaccine protects against a brain infection spread by tick bites in parts of Europe… Combined Hepatitis A and B VaccineA combined vaccine can protect against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B in one course, con…
No match — try another vaccine name.
See also
Conditions A–Z · Tests · Procedures · First aid · Healthy living · Medicines
Need patient-education content built?
We create clear, accurate, referenced health explainers and decision aids for teams and learners.