Vaccines

Vaccines (Active Immunity): Which vaccines are inactivated vaccines?

• Polio

• Influenza

• Hepatitis A

Vaccines (Active Immunity): Which vaccines are live attenuated vaccines?

• MMR

• Yellow fever

• Rotavirus

Vaccines (Active Immunity): Which vaccines use inactivated toxins?

• Tetanus

• Diphtheria

Vaccines (Active Immunity): Which vaccine uses viral vector technology?

COVID-19 AstraZeneca (AZ)

Vaccines (Active Immunity): Which vaccines use mRNA technology?

• COVID-19 Pfizer

• COVID-19 Moderna

What interval should be given between repeat doses of the same live vaccine?

4 weeks

What is the minimum interval between yellow fever and MMR vaccines?

Minimum 4 weeks

Can yellow fever and MMR vaccines be given on the same day?

No

What is the minimum interval between varicella zoster and MMR vaccines?

Minimum 4 weeks

Can varicella zoster and MMR vaccines be given on the same day?

Yes

Which live vaccines can be given at any time relative to each other?

• BCG

• Rotavirus

• Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV)

• Typhoid

• Yellow fever

• Varicella zoster

• MMR

Childhood Vaccines (8 weeks): Which vaccines are given at 8 weeks?

• 6-in-1 vaccine (1st dose)

• Rotavirus vaccine (1st dose)

• MenB vaccine (1st dose)

Childhood Vaccines (12 weeks): Which vaccines are given at 12 weeks?

• 6-in-1 vaccine (2nd dose)

• MenB vaccine (2nd dose)

• Rotavirus vaccine (2nd dose)

Childhood Vaccines (16 weeks): Which vaccines are given at 16 weeks?

• 6-in-1 vaccine (3rd dose)

• Pneumococcal vaccine (1st dose)

Childhood Vaccines (1 year): Which vaccines are given at 1 year?

• MMRV vaccine (1st dose for children born on or after 1 January 2025)

• Pneumococcal vaccine (2nd dose)

• MenB vaccine (3rd dose)

Which vaccines are given at 1 year and 6 months (18 months)?

• 6-in-1 vaccine (4th dose for children born on or after 1 July 2024)

• MMRV vaccine (1st or 2nd dose for children born on or after 1 July 2024)

Which vaccine is given annually?

Children’s flu vaccine (every year until the end of Year 11)

(3 years 4 months): Which vaccines are given?

• 4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine

• MMRV vaccine (1st or 2nd dose for children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 December 2024)

(12–13 years): Which vaccine is given?

HPV vaccine

(14 years): Which vaccines are given?

• Td/IPV vaccine (3-in-1 teenage booster)

• MenACWY vaccine

Adult Vaccines (65 years): Which vaccines are recommended?

• Flu vaccine (annually)

• Pneumococcal vaccine

• Shingles vaccine (if turned 65 on or after 1 September 2023)

. Adult Vaccines (70–79 years): Which vaccine is recommended?

Shingles vaccine

Adult Vaccines (75 years and over): Which vaccine is recommended?

RSV vaccine

Which vaccines are contraindicated during pregnancy?

Live vaccines

When should live vaccines be delayed in children born to mothers on immunosuppressive biologic therapy?

Delay for 6 months
(then rotavirus can be given after 6 months)

When can influenza vaccine be given during pregnancy?

At any stage of pregnancy from September onwards

When should pertussis vaccine be given during pregnancy?

From week 16

When should RSV vaccine be given during pregnancy?

From week 28

Vaccine Adverse Effects: What are common local reactions?

• Pain

• Swelling

• Redness at injection site

Vaccine Adverse Effects: What are common systemic reactions?

• Fever

• Malaise

• Myalgia

• Irritability

• Headache

• Loss of appetite

Vaccine Adverse Effects: Do common adverse effects contraindicate further vaccine doses?

No

Vaccine Adverse Effects: How are common vaccine reactions managed?

• Paracetamol

• Ibuprofen

Vaccine Adverse Effects – Anaphylaxis: How common is vaccine-related anaphylaxis?

Less than 1 per million vaccine doses

Vaccine Adverse Effects – Anaphylaxis: When does vaccine anaphylaxis usually occur?

Within minutes of vaccination

MHRA Safety Update – IXCHIQ (Chikungunya): What restriction applies to adults over 60?

Restricted due to very rare fatal reactions

MHRA Safety Update – IXCHIQ (11/01/2026): In which patients is IXCHIQ now contraindicated?

• Hypertension

• Cardiovascular disease

• Diabetes mellitus

• Chronic kidney disease

MHRA Safety Update – RSV Vaccines (Abrysvo and Arexvy): What rare neurological risk has been identified?

Small risk of Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS)

MHRA Safety Update – RSV Vaccines: What symptoms should patients report after vaccination?

• Tingling

• Numbness

• Pins and needles in feet and hands