Immunisation involves receiving a vaccine to help your body's immune system protect you against a disease. Read more about how your immune system works.
Vaccinations for older children and teenagers include:
- booster doses of vaccines given when they were younger (eg, Boostrix).
- catch up doses of any childhood immunisations they might have missed (eg, chickenpox or MMR).
- vaccines for certain diseases that are more common in teenagers (eg, human papillomavirus or HPV).
- those against meningococcal disease which can spread quickly in shared accommodation environments like halls of residence, boarding school hostels and military barracks.
- annual influenza vaccines.
Children and teenagers with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of certain diseases and health complications. They may need additional vaccines, if you are unsure, ask your healthcare provider.