When your baby or child is due for a routine vaccination, you may receive a notice of the appointment in the post.
Before the vaccination appointment
- inform the surgery who will be taking the child, if neither a parent nor guardian can attend
- check the appointment notice to see whether the appointment is at your GP surgery or local child health clinic
- take your red book to the appointment
At the vaccination appointment
- report to reception so that they know you're there
Checks the nurse or doctor will make
- your child's general health, and what medicines they may be taking
- which vaccines your child is going to have
- that you know what diseases they’ll protect against
- that you know what side effects may occur, and how to treat them
- that you’re happy to go ahead
After the vaccination
- make sure that the type of injection (and where it was given) is noted down in your red book and in your child’s GP records. Your child may need this information later in life, for example when applying for certain jobs or going abroad to live or study
What to do if you miss a vaccination appointment
Don’t panic. You don’t have to start the course of vaccines again. Just make a new appointment as soon as you can.
For more information on how to prepare your child for a vaccination, see our key tips for parents.
