Qualification: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 1.3: Support physical care routines for children
Learning outcome: Understand childhood immunisation
Assessment criteria: Identify the immunisation schedule
There is a national immunisation schedule in the UK that all children are recommended to follow. This schedule includes vaccinations for various diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, and meningococcal C, rotavirus, meningococcal B, pneumococcal, measles, mumps, and rubella.
8 weeks old
The first set of vaccinations are given at 8 weeks, and they include the 6-in-1 vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), as well as the rotavirus vaccine and the meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine.
12 weeks old
A second set of vaccinations are given at 12 weeks, and they include the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and second doses of the 6-in-1 and rotavirus vaccines.
16 weeks old
The third set of vaccinations are given at 16 weeks, and they include a third dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine and a second dose of the MenB vaccine.
1 year old
A booster vaccination is given at 1 year, which includes the Hib/MenC vaccine, the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, a second dose of the PCV vaccination and a third dose of the MenB vaccine.
3 years and 4 months old
The fourth set of vaccinations are given at 3 years and 4 months, which includes a booster vaccination for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio (the 4-in-1 pre-school booster) and the second dose of the MMR vaccine.
12-13 years old
The fifth set of vaccines are given to children aged 12-13 years old, which is the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
14 years old
Finally, the 3-in-1 teenage booster is given at 14 years old, along with the MenACWY vaccination.
Flu vaccine
Between the ages of 2 and 10, children in the UK may be vaccinated against influenza every year if necessary.
Other vaccinations
There are other vaccinations that may be offered to particular groups, such as older adults or those with specific medical conditions. The complete immunisation schedule can be found on the government’s website.