Baby vaccination schedule for dads: UK and US, first year
In the UK the NHS schedule has baby vaccines at 8, 12 and 16 weeks, then at 1 year. [NHS] In the US the CDC parent schedule starts at birth, with visits at 2, 4 and 6 months and again from 12 months. [CDC] This page lists both as published on 2026-10-17. Your GP or pediatrician sets your baby's actual dates, and the red book (UK) or your baby's health record (US) is where they are written down.
This is a copy of the official schedules for planning, not medical advice. Babies who were premature, have health conditions, or missed a dose may follow a different plan. If a vaccine is missed, contact your GP or pediatrician to catch up.
▸UK: the NHS routine schedule
| Age | Vaccines (NHS) |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 6-in-1 vaccine (1st dose) Rotavirus vaccine (1st dose) MenB vaccine (1st dose) |
| 12 weeks | 6-in-1 vaccine (2nd dose) MenB vaccine (2nd dose) Rotavirus vaccine (2nd dose) |
| 16 weeks | 6-in-1 vaccine (3rd dose) Pneumococcal vaccine (1st dose) |
| 1 year | MMRV vaccine (1st dose for children born on or after 1 January 2025) Pneumococcal vaccine (2nd dose) MenB vaccine (3rd dose) |
| 18 months | 6-in-1 vaccine (4th dose for children born on or after 1 July 2024) MMRV vaccine (1st or 2nd dose for children born on or after 1 July 2024) |
Some babies are offered extra vaccines: [NHS]
- Babies whose mothers have hepatitis B: hepatitis B vaccine at birth and at 4 weeks.
- Babies in areas with high numbers of TB cases, or whose parents or grandparents were born in a country with many TB cases: BCG vaccine at around 4 weeks.
Your GP surgery will usually contact you about appointments. The GP or health visitor discusses vaccines at the 6 to 8 week check. [NHS · NHS]
▸US: the CDC schedule
| Age | Vaccines and preventive antibody (CDC) |
|---|---|
| Birth | Hepatitis B (dose 1) |
| Birth to 7 months | RSV preventive antibody, depending on whether the mother had the RSV vaccine in pregnancy |
| 1 to 2 months | Hepatitis B (dose 2) |
| 2 months | Rotavirus (dose 1) DTaP (dose 1) Hib (dose 1) Pneumococcal (dose 1) Polio (dose 1) |
| 4 months | Rotavirus (dose 2) DTaP (dose 2) Hib (dose 2) Pneumococcal (dose 2) Polio (dose 2) |
| 6 months | DTaP (dose 3) Pneumococcal (dose 3) Rotavirus (dose 3) Some children Hib (dose 3) Some children |
| 6 to 18 months | Hepatitis B (dose 3) Polio (dose 3) |
| From 6 months, every year | Flu vaccine every year (two doses for some children) COVID-19 vaccine Talk to your provider to decide |
| 12 to 15 months | MMR (dose 1) Chickenpox (dose 1) Hib (dose 4) Pneumococcal (dose 4) |
| 12 to 23 months | Hepatitis A (2 doses, 6 months apart) |
| 15 to 18 months | DTaP (dose 4) |
Unmarked rows are for all children. Some children means only some children need that dose, and talk to your provider means parents and the provider decide together. The age shown is the recommended window; your pediatrician picks the date. [CDC]
On 2026-10-17, CDC's schedule pages say that, following a court order of March 16, 2026, the schedule dated July 2, 2025 is the current CDC child schedule. Schedules can change, which is one more reason to go by your pediatrician's plan. [CDC]
▸What you can do on the day
- Bring the red book (UK) or the baby's health record (US). It is where the doses are recorded. [NHS · NHS]
- Dress the baby in clothes that come off easily. Babies under 12 months have their injections in the thigh. [NHS]
- Hold the baby on your lap, stay calm and talk softly. If you cannot watch needles, ask a nurse to hold them instead. [NHS · CDC]
- US: ask the doctor about a sweet sucrose or glucose solution for babies 2 and under, or a numbing cream or cooling spray. Ask ahead, because the cream takes time to work. [CDC]
- Afterwards: cuddles, and swaddling for young babies. Crying for a while is common, and the injection site can be sore and red for 2 to 3 days. [CDC · NHS]
- UK: after the MenB vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks, the NHS recommends 3 doses of liquid paracetamol: one as soon as possible after the jab, then 4 to 6 hours apart, following the instructions with the medicine. [NHS]
UK: ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if a baby under 3 months has a temperature of 38C or higher, a baby of 3 to 6 months has 39C or higher, a high temperature lasts more than 48 hours after the MenB vaccine, or you are worried. [NHS] US: call your child's doctor if anything concerns you. [CDC] In an emergency call 999 or 911.
▸Common questions
When are the baby vaccinations in the UK?
The NHS schedule lists vaccines at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks, then at 1 year and 18 months. Your GP surgery will usually contact you. If a vaccine is missed, contact your GP to catch up.
What vaccines does a baby get at 2 months in the US?
The CDC parent schedule lists the first doses of rotavirus, DTaP, Hib, pneumococcal and polio at 2 months. Follow the dates your pediatrician gives you.
Should I give paracetamol after the baby vaccinations?
In the UK, the NHS recommends giving liquid paracetamol after the MenB vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks to reduce the risk of a high temperature: 3 doses, the first as soon as possible after the jab, then 4 to 6 hours apart. Follow the instructions with the medicine, and ask a pharmacist if unsure.
What can a dad do at the vaccination appointment?
Bring the red book or health record, dress the baby so the thighs are easy to reach, hold the baby on your lap, stay calm and talk softly, and cuddle afterwards. In the US, the CDC suggests asking about a sweet solution or a numbing cream or spray.
This is general information for expectant fathers, not clinical guidance. Anything about symptoms, pain, or bleeding goes to your midwife, doctor, or emergency service, not to an app.
← The first year, month by month · Paperwork deadlines →
Your first year, dated from the birthday.
In the DAD-OS app, enter the birth date once and get this month's guide, the vaccine visits and every paperwork deadline as real dates, with a calendar export.
▸Sources
Both schedules were read from the official pages on this date.
- NHS: NHS vaccinations and when to have them checked 2026-10-17
- NHS: Vaccination tips for parents checked 2026-10-17
- NHS: MenB vaccine for children checked 2026-10-17
- NHS: Your baby's health and development reviews checked 2026-10-17
- CDC: Recommended vaccines for young children (parent schedule) checked 2026-10-17
- CDC: Child immunization schedule addendum (status of the schedule) checked 2026-10-17
- CDC: Make shots less stressful for your child checked 2026-10-17