Are animal-derived ingredients included in vaccines?
Certain live vaccines, like the MMR vaccine, include gelatine sourced from pigs to help stabilise them for safe storage across various temperatures. This gelatine is extensively purified and broken down into tiny molecules, ensuring no pig DNA remains. However, individuals from some religious backgrounds might have concerns about pig-derived gelatine. Under Jewish law, porcine components in non-oral items, such as vaccines, are not considered problematic. Likewise, many Muslim leaders have determined that the highly purified, non-orally administered gelatine in vaccines does not violate religious dietary rules.
- There are some vaccines available without animal derived ingredients.
- Flu – the injection option doesn’t contain any gelatine derived product.
- MMR – in the UK we have 2 types of MMR vaccine – MMR VaxPro® and Priorix®. Priorix® does not contain gelatine and is as safe and effective as MMR VaxPro®.
- You will need to speak to speak to your school aged provider to arrange this gelatine free option if required.
Are any of the vaccines ‘live’?
Both the nasal flu and MMR vaccine contain weakened live ‘virus’. it is this small amount of weakened live virus that triggers an immune response without causing actual disease. Helping your body build protection against the actual illness.
All the other vaccines do not contain live viruses. If required there are live-vaccine free alternatives.
Are vaccines safe for my child?
Every vaccine undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it poses no harm to you or your child. Learn more by watching this video:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/why-vaccination-is-safe-and-important/
Can I wait until they’re older?
The immunisation schedule is designed to vaccinate your child at the earliest effective age for each vaccine. Vaccinating at the recommended time ensures protection from a young age, as babies and young children are most at risk. Delaying vaccination increases the chance of your child contracting a disease. If an appointment is missed, your child can still be vaccinated later to catch up with the schedule—it’s never too late to start. However, the longer you wait, the more vulnerable your child remains. For advice on vaccinating outside the recommended times, consult your health visitor, practice nurse, or GP.
Can multiple vaccinations overwhelm a child’s immune system?
No. A child’s immune system naturally battles millions of germs daily. The quantity of bacteria or virus in a vaccine is minimal and does not place additional stress on their system. Even with several vaccines given at once, they would utilise less than a thousandth of the immune system’s capacity.
Can my child still be vaccinated if they have a mild illness (cough or cold) or are on antibiotics?
Yes. Unless your child has a high temperature, or a trained healthcare professional says otherwise, your child can still have their vaccinations.
Can my child still be vaccinated if they have asthma?
Yes. Your child can still be vaccinated if they have asthma. Please mention it to the healthcare professional on the day of vaccination, in case of updated medical advice.
LAIV (nasal flu spray) is not recommended for children and adolescents currently experiencing an acute exacerbation of symptoms (those who have had increased wheezing or needed additional inhaler use in previous 72 hours). These children can delay vaccination until fit or a flu injection could be offered.
Can my child still be vaccinated if they have eczema?
Yes, a child with eczema receive routine vaccinations. Eczema, along with other allergies like asthma or hay fever, does not prevent your child from getting the recommended immunisations and is not a reason to avoid or delay them.
Can my child still be vaccinated if they have epilepsy or a history of febrile convulsions?
Yes. Unless your child has a high temperature on the day of vaccination, your child can still have their vaccinations.
Please talk to the healthcare professional and make them aware so they can make a clinical decision on the day.
Can my child still be vaccinated if they have hay fever?
Hay fever, along with other allergies like asthma or hay eczema, does not prevent your child from getting the recommended immunisations and is not a reason to avoid or delay them.
Can my child still be vaccinated if they recently had contact with an infectious disease?
Yes, a child can often be vaccinated even after contact with an infectious disease, and sometimes vaccination is recommended during an outbreak for extra protection, but it depends on the specific disease and if the child has symptoms (fever is a key factor for delay).
If your child has a mild illness (like a cold without fever), they usually proceed as normal, but a significant fever or severe illness usually warrants a delay until recovery; always check with your healthcare professional first.
Can my child still be vaccinated if they were born prematurely?
Yes, children that were born premature can and should be vaccinated, Particularly when babies they are at higher risk for serious infections and studies show vaccines are safe and effective for them.
Can my child still be vaccinated if we have a family history of reactions to vaccinations?
Yes. However to mention this to the healthcare professionals on the day.
Do some children have trouble breathing after vaccination?
Less than 1 in 1 million children may experience an allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, within seconds or minutes of vaccination. Healthcare professionals administering vaccines are trained to treat this with adrenaline, which typically resolves the issue quickly. If your child has allergies, consult an appropriately trained healthcare professional about vaccination.
Do vaccines trigger allergies or autoimmune diseases?
Large, well-controlled epidemiological studies and meta-analyses overwhelmingly indicate that vaccines do not cause chronic allergies or systemic autoimmune diseases.
Does it make a difference if fewer children are vaccinated?
When fewer children are vaccinated, infectious diseases can spread more easily. For instance, a decline in MMR vaccinations has led to more measles cases in children. This increases the risk for unvaccinated kids and those unable to be vaccinated due to health conditions. More details are available at:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/why-vaccination-is-safe-and-important/
Does one consent form cover all vaccines?
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio and Meningitis ACWY are all on the same consent form. You would need to complete a different one for HPV and any other vaccines administered.
Does the MMR vaccine lead to autism?
No, the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine does not cause autism. Extensive, high-quality scientific studies and reviews involving millions of children across the globe have definitively shown there is no link between the vaccine and the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
https://vaccineknowledge.ox.ac.uk/mmr-vaccine#Key-vaccine-facts
How can I be sure vaccines are safe?
Before a vaccine is approved for public use, it undergoes thorough testing. Similar to other medications, vaccines are subjected to detailed clinical trials, where they are given to and carefully observed in groups of volunteers. In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reviews the trial outcomes to ensure safety and efficacy.
No medication, including vaccines, can be entirely free of risk or guaranteed to work 100% of the time. However, robust approval processes and safety evaluations confirm that the health benefits of vaccines provided through the NHS far exceed any potential risks. Because vaccines are administered to healthy individuals, the safety standards are exceptionally high, setting a lower threshold for acceptable risk compared to other drugs.
Even after a vaccine is included in the routine schedule, the MHRA continues to monitor its safety and effectiveness. Any potential side effects can be reported by healthcare professionals or patients to the MHRA via the yellow card scheme.
How does vaccination provide protection?
Vaccination is the safest method to build immunity against a pathogen your body hasn’t yet met. It uses a harmless version of the bacteria or virus that causes the disease, allowing your immune system to recognise it without causing illness. This triggers a specific immune response to combat it. The immune system then retains a memory of the pathogen, so if a vaccinated person is exposed later, their immune system is ready to fight it off.
How well do vaccines work?
Vaccination stands as one of the most significant achievements in global health, saving an estimated 3.5–5 million lives annually. Thanks to vaccines, severe diseases like diphtheria, whooping cough, and polio, once common among UK children, are now rare. Historical data shows a sharp decline in disease cases after a vaccine is introduced, with some diseases, like smallpox, being completely eradicated. Had smallpox not been eliminated, it would have caused 5 million deaths worldwide each year!
I can’t remember what my children have had. Can you help?
If you can’t remember when your children last had their vaccines or which ones they’ve had we can help. If you’re not sure, please call your local School Aged Immunisation team, and we’ll be more than happy to help and advise you. There’s quite a gap between baby vaccines and school-age, so don’t worry if you’ve forgotten. It happens to us all!!
If these diseases are so rare, why does my child need to be vaccinated?
These diseases still exist worldwide, so an unvaccinated child remains at risk of becoming seriously ill. Reduced vaccination rates have led to outbreaks, such as measles. Consistent vaccination is essential to keep children healthy, prevent outbreaks, and work toward eradicating these diseases entirely.
Is it better to give vaccines separately instead of together?
Administering multiple vaccines in one visit ensures your child is protected from diseases quickly and reduces the need for multiple appointments. There’s no health advantage to spacing them out over several visits. Some vaccines are combined into one injection to minimise injections, like the 6-in-1 vaccine, which cuts six injections down to one. These combined vaccines are just as effective as individual ones and pose no additional safety risks or concerns for your child.
Is it preferable for my child to develop immunity by getting sick?
No. The only way to gain immunity through infection is by catching the disease-causing bacteria or virus, which poses a significant health risk to your child. This could lead to severe illness or long-term health issues, and some diseases like measles and meningitis can even be deadly. Infection also allows the disease to spread from your child to others, putting them at risk. Vaccination, however, enables your child to build immunity safely and controllably without getting sick or transmitting the disease.
Is it safe for all these vaccines to be given at the same time?
Yes, it is safe and routinely given together. The HPV vaccine can also be given at the same time as the Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio and Meningitis ACWY vaccines.
Is the 3-in-1 vaccine three injections?
No. The 3-in-1 vaccine, also know as the Td/IPV vaccine, or the 3‑in‑1 teenage booster It is a three-in-one, so one injection.
Is the BCG vaccine still given, the one with the six needles?
No. The BCG is no longer routinely given.
Is the Meningitis ACWY different to the Meningitis C vaccine?
Yes, it is a vaccine which gives a boost to the Meningitis C but also protects against the A, W and Y strains of Meningitis. This additional protection is due to an increase in the W strain in particular.
Is there mercury in vaccines, and could it harm my child?
No vaccines in the UK contain mercury. It used to be the case (pre 2004) that some vaccines contained a compound called thiomersal which is a mercury-based preservative.
Thorough research found no association between the levels of mercury used in vaccines and conditions like brain damage or autism in children. Still, to lower mercury exposure, and in response to public concern the UK has completely discontinued the use of thiomersal in vaccines.
Isn’t there a lot of aluminium in vaccines?
No. The amount of aluminium in some vaccines is similar to that in one tub of formula milk. If your child was formula-fed, they’ll get more aluminium from their milk than from vaccines. Aluminium enhances your child’s immune response, increasing the likelihood of immunity to the germ.
My children had some vaccines when they were babies. Is Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio a booster for this?
Yes. It will be the 5th and final dose.
Should my child still get vaccinated if they’re sick?
Your child can receive a vaccination if they have a mild illness like a cold without a fever. However, if they have a high temperature, postpone the vaccination and schedule a new appointment once they’ve recovered.
What about the Meningitis ACWY? Is this the same as MMR?
The key difference is what they protect against: MenACWY guards against four types (A, C, W, Y) of bacteria causing meningitis and septicemia (blood poisoning), while MMR protects against three highly infectious viral diseases: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.
MenACWY is often recommended for young adults, especially students, to prevent serious bacterial infections, whereas MMR is a routine childhood vaccination given in two doses.
What are vaccinations?
Vaccinations offer strong protection against numerous diseases. Before their introduction, many children suffered from serious infections like measles, polio, and whooping cough, which are now uncommon in the UK. Vaccines include a weakened or inactivated version of the disease-causing germ, enabling the immune system to recognise and combat the real germ more quickly, preventing illness in your child.
What are vaccines made from?
The composition of vaccines varies slightly depending on their development process. The key component is a tiny, harmless version of the bacteria or virus being targeted, which is unable to cause illness. This component introduces antigens to the immune system to trigger a targeted response.
Water makes up the largest portion of a vaccine. Other ingredients are included in trace amounts, and there is no evidence suggesting harm at these levels, except in rare cases of severe allergies to specific substances.
Vaccines include small quantities of preservatives and stabilisers, such as sorbitol and citric acid, to preserve quality and ensure safety during transport and storage. These are naturally present in the body or in foods at much higher concentrations than in vaccines. Preservatives prevent contamination, similar to their use in food preservation, while stabilisers prevent separation or adhesion to the vial during handling.
Certain vaccines contain minute amounts of adjuvants—substances that enhance the immune response. Aluminium hydroxide, a common adjuvant, strengthens this response. Found naturally in food and water, the amount in vaccines is minimal. Research shows that the total aluminium from vaccines and diet in an infant’s first year remains below the safe weekly intake. Adjuvants are also present in larger amounts in other medications, posing no significant health risk at vaccine levels.
Formaldehyde is used during vaccine production. This organic compound occurs naturally in living organisms and is produced by the human body during metabolism. While high levels can be toxic, the residual amounts in vaccines are fifty times lower than those in a pear.
For a detailed list of ingredients in specific vaccines, consult the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) or Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) provided with each vaccine, both of which are also available online.
What is ‘herd immunity’?
Infectious diseases can spread quickly from person to person, affecting entire communities. When a large enough portion of a community is vaccinated, it becomes hard for the disease to spread due to the small number of susceptible individuals—this is called ‘herd immunity’. It’s especially important for protecting those who can’t be vaccinated, like young children or those undergoing treatments such as cancer care. Vaccinating your child not only safeguards them but also protects the most vulnerable in your community. For herd immunity to be effective, a high vaccination rate is needed across the community. While UK vaccination rates are generally high, some areas fall below the level required, leading to recent outbreaks of measles and whooping cough due to declining herd immunity. Low vaccination rates in your area can leave the most vulnerable at greater risk.
What is a booster vaccine, and why does my child need one?
A booster vaccine is an additional dose given to reinforce the immune response to a bacteria or virus. Immunity to some pathogens can wane over time, and a booster enhances protection to maintain long-term safety. Keeping up with booster vaccines is essential to ensure your child remains well-protected.
What should I do if I have concerns about vaccinating my child?
Reach out to your practice nurse or GP. They’re available to discuss vaccinations and address any questions or worries you may have.
What should I do if I missed my child’s routine vaccination?
You can catch up on any missed or delayed vaccinations. The best step is to call your GP practice to book a new appointment.
When shouldn’t a child be vaccinated?
Vaccination is typically delayed if a child has a fever until they recover. Otherwise, it’s very rare for a child to be unable to receive vaccines. Exceptions include children with weakened immune systems due to treatments like chemotherapy, allergies to vaccine components, or specific conditions affecting immunity, preventing them from receiving all scheduled vaccines. If you’re concerned about your child’s eligibility, discuss it with your health visitor, practice nurse, or GP.
Why are adjustments made to the immunisation schedule?
The immunisation schedule is regularly reviewed to ensure the timing and type of vaccines provide the best protection for your child. Updates might involve adjusting the recommended age for vaccination, altering the number of doses, or adding new vaccine combinations. After thorough research, trials, and analysis, new vaccines are introduced to expand the range of diseases your child can be safeguarded against. The key point is that any change to the schedule aims to maximise your child’s safety by offering broader protection and optimising vaccine effectiveness.
Why do some children contract diseases despite being vaccinated?
Vaccines represent our most powerful tool for disease prevention. However, no medical treatment can guarantee 100% effectiveness, and the success rate of a vaccine can vary based on its formulation and the specific disease it targets. Differences in individual immune responses mean that the vaccine’s protective effect may differ from person to person, and in rare instances, full immunity might not develop. Still, vaccines are highly effective for most individuals. When a large enough portion of the population is vaccinated, those with incomplete immunity benefit from herd immunity. Even if a vaccinated child gets sick, their symptoms are typically much less severe than those in unvaccinated children.
Will my child get sick if they catch measles?
Yes. Unvaccinated children who contract measles often end up in emergency departments due to severe symptoms such as high fever, rash, vomiting, conjunctivitis, and stomach pain. Some may also experience serious complications like pneumonia or encephalitis (brain infection).
Will my child receive the same standard of care if they are not vaccinated?
Yes. While vaccines are crucial for protecting children from harmful illnesses, unvaccinated children will still receive the same access to services and high-quality care as others. However, they may sometimes need different treatments, which will be explained if necessary.
Will my child’s immune system be overwhelmed by vaccinations?
Vaccinations won’t overburden your child’s immune system or make them more prone to other infections. They only use a small portion of the immune system, leaving it capable of fighting off other illnesses if exposed simultaneously.