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Changes to the timing of vaccinations at 12 and 13 Months

22 November 2010

The Department of Health has recommended that routine practice should be to offer the boosters of Hib and Meningococcal C (Hib/Men C) and pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) vaccines and the first MMR vaccine should be given on the same visit, between 12 and 13 months, but as the three separate injections.

In the autumn of 2006, the immunisation schedule changed and it was recommended that a single injection containing boosters of Hib and Meningococcal C vaccines (Hib/Men C) should be given at 12 months and a booster of pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) and a separate injection with the first MMR at 13 months. It was recommended that the Hib/Men C and PCV boosters should not be given at the same time, as there was no evidence that this would provide good immunity and have no increase in side effects.

Research has now been done that shows that giving the Hib/Men C, PCV and MMR vaccines at the same time is both safe and effective. Further research has shown that it is acceptable to the majority of parents to give the three injections at the same time. The Department of Health has therefore recommended that routine practice should be that the Hib/Men C, PCV and MMR vaccines should be given on the same visit, but as the three separate injections.

Contact information:

GOSH-ICH Press Office: 020 7239 3125
Email: Coxs@gosh.nhs.uk
For genuine and urgent out of hours call speak to switchboard on 020 7405 9200

Notes to editors

  1. From 2006, babies have received three injections, at 16 weeks, against seven different diseases - diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib and polio, as one injection; Men C as another: and PCV as a third. This has caused no problems and has been acceptable to parents.
  2. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) protects against most causes of one of the most devastating forms of meningitis as well as against some forms of pneumonia

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