Page updated: 21.12.22

Introduction

Most vaccines are given as part of the routine vaccination programme in Wales.

Some need to be given more than once to help us develop immunity and long-lasting protection from disease.

Babies, children and adults will be called automatically for vaccination when they are due. Some vaccinations will be given in school. It is important that all vaccinations are given on time and that the correct number of doses are received.

New to Wales? If you and your child/children have moved to Wales from another country, please ensure your child/children are vaccinated according to the Wales schedule. The timings of childhood immunisations can vary between countries and your child/children may need an additional dose of certain vaccines to bring them in line with our schedule and ensure they have the maximum protection. Check with your health visitor or GP.

Information for arrivals from Ukraine Go to this page on the Public Health Wales website for vaccination leaflets and information for arrivals from Ukraine.

Routine vaccinations

Polio - Parents and carers, please make sure your children are up to date with their routine vaccinations, as the polio vaccine is offered as part of the routine schedule in five separate doses. This call follows the detection of poliovirus in wastewater in London. Go to this Public Health Wales web page for more information, including frequently asked questions.

Babies

Parents and carers will be invited by their GP practice or health visitor to bring their baby for vaccination four times in the first year of their lives.

The vaccinations are given at eight weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks and 12-13 months old. Babies will receive protection against a number of serious childhood illnesses including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella, polio and meningococcal group B and C bacteria which can cause meningitis.

Children aged from six months to two who have certain underlying health conditions will be offered an injectable flu vaccine in the autumn/winter.

Pre-school

Two and three year olds, along with school-aged children in Wales up to and including year 11, are offered the nasal spray flu vaccine every autumn/winter. Two and three year olds will be invited by their GP practice or health visitor. 

Go to our school vaccinations page to find out more about the nasal spray flu vaccine for children.

Children aged three years and four months will be invited by their GP practice or health visitor for a pre-school booster of vaccines given as babies.

School-aged children

All school children in Wales up to and including year 11 are now offered the nasal spray flu vaccine in the autumn/winter.  

Go to our school vaccinations page to find out more about flu and the nasal spray flu vaccine for children.

Years 8 and 9 (12-14 year olds)

Two doses of the HPV vaccine are given with a gap in between. This vaccine protects against cervical cancer and some other cancers, such as cancers of the head and neck.

Year 9 (13 and 14 year olds)

Tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccine and the vaccine against meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y (MenACWY), which can cause meningitis are given. 

Age 50 and older

Eligible for the annual flu vaccine

Go to our seasonal vaccinations page to find out more about the flu vaccine for those aged 50 and over.

Age 65 years and older

Eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine, also known as the pneumonia vaccine. It protects against pneumococcal infections, which can cause pneumonia, blood poisoning (sepsis) and meningitis.

Age 70-79

Eligible for the shingles vaccine. Shingles is a painful skin disease.

Further information

Go to this page on the Public Health Wales website for the full routine vaccination schedule for Wales. It also has an A-Z list of vaccines and information on each one.