Vaccinations are one of the most effective measures to help keep you healthy and protected from illness. Vaccines contain weakened or inactive parts of a particular organism (antigen) that triggers an immune response within the body, without infecting the body with the disease itself.
As a result, when the vaccinated person later comes into contact with the disease, their immune system will recognise it and immediately produce the antibodies they need to fight it.
Watch the ‘How do vaccines work?’ video from Oxford Vaccine Group.
See checklist of the vaccines that are routinely offered to everyone in the UK free of charge on the NHS and the ages at which they should ideally be given. If you are not sure if you or your child have had all your routine vaccinations, call your GP or Practice Nurse to check.
Childhood vaccinations
The best way to keep your child healthy and help protect them from severe illness is to keep them up to date with their routine vaccinations. To find out more about childhood vaccinations and when they are due, view the NHS childhood vaccines timeline.
In Bromley, children are offered their second MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) dose from 18 months, to make sure children are protected early on, and is within the national guidelines. For more information, view the Children’s Health webpage from South East London ICS.
Flu vaccination
The flu vaccine is offered every Autumn to help protect people at risk of getting seriously ill from flu. For more information, view the NHS flu vaccination webpage.
COVID-19 Vaccination
The COVID-19 vaccine can prevent people from becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID-19 or from catching and spreading COVID-19 to others. For more information, view the NHS COVID-19 vaccine webpage.
Travel vaccinations
If you are travelling outside of the UK, you may need additional vaccines to protect you against diseases found in other parts of the world. For more information, view the NHS travel vaccinations webpage.