Immunisation
In addition to the requirements set out in the pharmacology section of the syllabus the RCEM advises that candidates need to know the usual UK immunisation schedules for the following vaccines:
Additional immunisation schedules:
The 2025 UK immunisation schedules are shown below:
Routine immunisation schedule
Selective immunisation programmes
Additional vaccines for individuals with underlying medical conditions
- Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
- Haemophilus influenzae type b
- Polio (inactivated)
- MMR
- Varicella
Additional immunisation schedules:
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Influenza
The 2025 UK immunisation schedules are shown below:
Routine immunisation schedule
| When | Diseases protected against | Vaccine given | Trade name | Usual site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, hepatitis B | DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB | Infanrix hexa or Vaxelis | Thigh |
| 8 weeks old | Meningococcal group B | MenB | Bexsero | Left thigh |
| 8 weeks old | Rotavirus gastroenteritis | Rotavirus | Rotarix | By mouth |
| 12 weeks old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, hepatitis B | DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB | Infanrix hexa or Vaxelis | Thigh |
| 12 weeks old | Pneumococcal (13 serotypes) | PCV | Prevenar 13 | Thigh |
| 12 weeks old | Rotavirus | Rotavirus | Rotarix | By mouth |
| 16 weeks old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, hepatitis B | DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB | Infanrix hexa or Vaxelis | Thigh |
| 16 weeks old | Meningococcal group B | MenB | Bexsero | Thigh |
| 1 year old | Hib and MenC | Hib/MenC | Menitorix | Upper arm or thigh |
| 1 year old | Pneumococcal (booster) | PCV booster | Prevenar 13 | Upper arm or thigh |
| 1 year old | Measles, mumps, rubella | MMR | MMRvaxPro or Priorix | Upper arm or thigh |
| 1 year old | MenB (booster) | MenB booster | Bexsero | Left thigh |
| Eligible paediatric age group | Influenza | LAIV | Fluenz Tetra | Both nostrils |
| 3 years 4 months | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio | dTaP/IPV | REPEVAX | Upper arm |
| 3 years 4 months | Measles, mumps, rubella | MMR | MMRvaxPro or Priorix | Upper arm |
| 12 to 13 years old | HPV types (cancer & genital warts) | HPV | Gardasil 9 | Upper arm |
| 14 years old | Tetanus, diphtheria, polio | Td/IPV | REVAXIS | Upper arm |
| 14 years old | Meningococcal A, C, W, Y | MenACWY | MenQuadfi | Upper arm |
| 65 years old | Pneumococcal (23 serotypes) | PPV23 | Pneumovax 23 | Upper arm |
| 65+ years | Influenza (annually from Sept) | Inactivated influenza vaccine | Multiple | Upper arm |
| 65+ from Sept 2023 | Shingles | Shingles vaccine | Shingrix | Upper arm |
| 70–79 years old | Shingles | Shingles vaccine | Zostavax or Shingrix | Upper arm |
| 75 years old | Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | RSV vaccine | Abrysvo | Upper arm |
Selective immunisation programmes
| Target group | Age and schedule | Disease | Vaccines required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babies born to hepatitis B infected mothers | At birth, 4 weeks and 12 months old | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B (Engerix B/HBvaxPRO) |
| Infants in areas with TB incidence ≥ 40/100,000 | Around 28 days old | Tuberculosis | BCG |
| Infants with a parent or grandparent from high incidence country | Around 28 days old | Tuberculosis | BCG |
| Children in a clinical risk group | From 6 months to 17 years | Influenza | LAIV or inactivated flu vaccine |
| Pregnant women (flu season) | Any stage during flu season | Influenza | Inactivated flu vaccine |
| Pregnant women | From 16 weeks gestation | Pertussis | Tdap (ADACEL) |
| Pregnant women | From 28 weeks gestation | RSV | RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) |
Additional vaccines for individuals with underlying medical conditions
| Medical condition | Diseases protected against | Vaccines required |
|---|---|---|
| Asplenia or splenic dysfunction (incl. sickle cell & coeliac disease) | Meningococcal A, B, C, W, Y | MenACWY, MenB |
| Asplenia/Pneumococcal | PCV13 (up to 10 yrs), PPV23 (from 2 yrs) | |
| Asplenia/Influenza | Annual flu vaccine | |
| Cochlear implants | Pneumococcal | PCV13 (up to 10 yrs), PPV23 (from 2 yrs) |
| Chronic respiratory & heart conditions | Pneumococcal | PCV13 (up to 10 yrs), PPV23 (from 2 yrs) |
| Chronic respiratory/Influenza | Annual flu vaccine | |
| Chronic neurological conditions (e.g. Parkinson’s, MND, LD) | Pneumococcal (if aspiration risk) | PCV13 (up to 10 yrs), PPV23 (from 2 yrs) |
| Neurological/Influenza | Annual flu vaccine | |
| Diabetes | Pneumococcal | PCV13 (up to 10 yrs), PPV23 (from 2 yrs) |
| Diabetes/Influenza | Annual flu vaccine | |
| Chronic kidney disease (CKD) | Pneumococcal (stage 4/5) | PCV13 (up to 10 yrs), PPV23 (from 2 yrs) |
| CKD/Influenza (stage 3–5) | Annual flu vaccine | |
| CKD/Hepatitis B (stage 4/5) | Hepatitis B | |
| Chronic liver conditions | Pneumococcal | PCV13 (up to 10 yrs), PPV23 (from 2 yrs) |
| Liver/Influenza | Annual flu vaccine | |
| Liver/Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A | |
| Liver/Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B | |
| Haemophilia | Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A |
| Haemophilia/Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B | |
| Immunosuppression (disease or treatment) | Pneumococcal | PCV13 (up to 10 yrs), PPV23 (from 2 yrs) |
| Immunosuppression/Shingles | Shrix (over 50 yrs) | |
| Immunosuppression/Influenza | Annual flu vaccine | |
| Complement disorders (incl. complement inhibitor therapy) | Meningococcal A, B, C, W, Y | MenACWY, MenB |
| Complement/Pneumococcal | PCV13 (up to 10 yrs), PPV23 (from 2 yrs) | |
| Complement/Influenza | Annual flu vaccine |