Child Immunisation clinics

In Jersey we follow the UK childhood immunisation schedule, the aim of this is to provide early protection against vaccine-preventable infections that are most dangerous in the very young.

The vaccine programme begins when baby is 8 weeks old, this is the time when the antibodies baby has received from mum have stopped working. Vaccines given before 8 weeks are less effective.  Only in rare circumstances would a vaccine be given before 8 weeks, such as if baby was travelling to out the country, please check with your Doctor or practice nurse.

It is important to keep to the immunisation schedule as delays between the vaccines can leave baby unprotected.

The Child Health Department will write to you before each immunisation is due, at this point please ring our secretary team to make an appointment. Please inform of us of any change in address so we can update our records and the Child Health Department.

The Island Medical Centre offers 2 child immunisation clinics a week, these are free of charge. There is always a Doctor and Practice Nurse in these clinics, ensuring the safe checking of the vaccines.

Clinic times:

Wednesday 3pm – 5pm
Thursday 10.30am – 12.30pm

Child Immunisation Programme (update 1st May 2016)

• 8 weeks Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (whooping cough)/Polio/Haemophilus influenza type B/Hepatitis B/Pneumococcal infection/Meningococcal B/Rotavirus (Rotavirus is given by mouth)
• 12 weeks Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (whooping cough)/Polio/Haemophilus influenza type B/Hepatitis B/Rotavirus (Rotavirus is given by mouth)
• 16 weeks Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (whooping cough)/Polio/Haemophilus influenza type B/Hepatitis B/Pneumococcal infection/Meningococcal B
• 12 months Measles/Mumps/Rubella/Meningococcal B
• 13 months Pneumococcal infection/Haemophilus influenza type B/ Meningococcal C
• 3 years 4 months Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (whooping cough)/Polio booster/ Measles/Mumps/Rubella

The school nurses give immunisations after this time.

All the Immunisations require your consent. Should a grandparent or nanny bring your child for immunisations then we ask you provide a brief letter of consent or a telephone number on which we could contact you.

The vaccines are generally very well tolerated. The most common reactions to immunisations are a slightly red sore area at the injection site and sometimes a mild fever, this is the baby making a good immune response to the vaccine. The appropriate dose of paracetamol can be given but it is only advised if baby is unsettled.  The exception to this is when the Meningitis B vaccine is given with other vaccines, then paracetamol has to be given soon after Meningitis B vaccine is given, repeated 4-6 hrs after the first dose and again 4-6 hrs after the second dose. You will receive a booklet about Meningitis B vaccine when you attend the clinic, with this and more information.

If for any reason you do not wish your child to be vaccinated then please contact your surgery to speak to the Doctor or Practice nurse.

If you do not receive a reminder from the child health department before the next immunisations, please ring our secretary team to make an appointment but there has to be a minimum of 4 weeks between each set of vaccines.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Practice Nurse if you have any questions about the vaccines.

For more information on childhood immunisations click here