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Information about vaccinations for school age children and young people

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Vaccinations save lives and are one of the most important things we can do to protect children and young people against ill health. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that vaccination prevents over 3.5 million deaths worldwide every year. Vaccines work by teaching the immune system to build its defences against disease.  

 

The vaccines

In the current routine immunisation schedule for Wales, there are four vaccines that are routinely offered to school age children and young people. This includes: 

  • HPV 

  • Teenage 3-in-1 booster 

  • MenACWY 

  • Flu 

These vaccines are usually given in school, however some health boards will provide them via the GP surgery.  

Children and young people who are not in school, including those who are educated at home, may be offered the above vaccines at their GP surgery or in a community vaccination centre when they are due. 

 

 

Children and young people with certain medical conditions may also be offered other vaccines. Some vaccines that were missed earlier in life may also be offered again to children and young people to ensure they are protected before they leave school. 

 

HPV

All young people (boys and girls) aged 12 to 13 (school year 8) will be offered the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. This vaccine helps protect against future risks of HPV-related cancers such as: 

  • cervical cancer  

  • some head and neck cancers 

  • some cancers of the anus, and 

  • some cancers of the genital area (for example, the penis, vagina and vulva). 

HPV lives on the skin and is spread by skin-to-skin contact. Getting the vaccine as a young person protects against future risks. 

Head and neck cancers are most common in males, with around 700 men diagnosed in Wales each year. 

HPV vaccination cuts the risk of cervical cancer by 90%, as well as dramatically lowering the rates of other types of HPV related cancers. 

Young people who miss their HPV vaccination at school can still have it up to their 25th birthday. 

For more information about HPV vaccination, visit phw.nhs.wales/HPVvaccine 

 

Teenage 3-in-1 booster

All young people aged 13 to 14 (school year 9) will be offered the teenage 3-in-1 booster (also known as Td/IPV) vaccine which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and polio. This vaccine completes a 5-dose course which gives most people lifelong protection against tetanus, diphtheria and polio.  

Tetanus and diphtheria are serious diseases that can damage the heart and nervous system. Polio is a virus that attacks the nervous system and can cause permanent paralysis of muscles. In severe cases, these diseases can kill. 

The teenage 3-in-1 booster is usually given at the same visit as the MenACWY vaccine. In most areas of Wales, these vaccines are offered together in school. In a few areas where the vaccines are not given in school, they will be offered at the GP surgery or a community vaccination centre.   

The number of routine doses recommended for children and young people born after 1 July 2025 has increased to six. This is due to changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule that aims to ensure the necessary protection for younger children for other diseases. You can read more about these changes at: phw.nhs.wales/vaccines/ccs-information-for-public 

Young people who miss their teenage 3-in-1 booster vaccination remain eligible to get the vaccine. It’s never too late to get up to date.  

For more information about the teenage 3-in-1 booster, visit phw.nhs.wales/3in1vaccine 

 

MenACWY

All young people aged 13 to 14 (school year 9) will be offered the meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y vaccine (MenACWY). This is the safest and most effective way to help protect against meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and sepsis (a life-threatening reaction to an infection that can harm your whole body), caused by four groups of meningococcal bacteria – A, C, W and Y. 

The MenACWY is usually given at the same visit as the teenage 3-in-1 booster vaccine.  In most areas in Wales, these vaccines are offered together in school. In a few areas where the vaccines are not given in school, they will be offered at the GP surgery or a community vaccination centre.  

Young people who miss their MenACWY vaccination at school can still have the vaccine up to their 25th birthday. 

For more information about the MenACWY vaccination, visit phw.nhs.wales/MenACWYvaccine 

 

Flu

Flu is a virus that can lead to serious illnesses and death. There are flu outbreaks most winters and the virus is constantly changing. Each year, flu vaccines are changed to match the flu viruses which are going around that year, so that people get the best protection from flu.

All children and young people in primary school and secondary school (from reception to year 11) will be offered a flu vaccination each winter. This is usually offered as a spray up the nose.

For more information about flu vaccination, visit phw.nhs.wales/fluvaccine 

 

Other vaccinations

It’s a good idea to check that all other routine childhood vaccinations are up to date. Some vaccinations which are missed earlier in life may be offered to your child as a teenager in school or via their GP surgery or community vaccination centre. If you are unsure if your child has missed any vaccinations, and is older than the recommended age, talk to your school nurse, immunisation team, GP or practice nurse. 

MMR

Measles, mumps and rubella (also known as German measles) are highly infectious diseases that can easily spread between people who are not vaccinated. These diseases can have serious and potentially fatal medical complications. 

Two doses of an MMR containing vaccine is the safest, most effective way to help protect against measles, mumps and rubella. Both doses are usually offered before a child starts school. 

If you or your child missed their MMR vaccination, you can catch up at any time – there is no age limit. Getting 2 doses helps protect you from these highly infectious diseases. 

From 1 January 2026, a change is being made to the routine schedule to add protection against a fourth disease known as varicella (chickenpox) to the MMR vaccine, to make a new combined vaccine of MMRV.  

A catch-up programme will also offer MMRV to some children under 6 years of age, including those who may have already had two doses of the MMR vaccine. You can speak to your child’s school nurse, practice nurse or GP to discuss if your child is eligible.  

You can read more about the introduction of the MMRV vaccine here: phw.nhs.wales/vaccines/ccs-information-for-public  

For more information about MMR vaccination, visit phw.nhs.wales/MMRV-MMR 

 

Anything else I should know?

Each time vaccinations are offered to your child in school, you will be asked to complete a consent form to give permission for your child to have the vaccination. This may be electronically or a paper consent form. You should fill in the consent form(s) and return as soon as possible by the required date. 

Young people aged 16 and over can consent for themselves. In some cases, young people under the age of 16 may be able to give consent themselves. This can happen if they are mature enough to fully understand what is being offered.  This is called Gillick competence. Information from the NSPCC on Gillick competence can be found here: www.learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-protection-system/gillick-competence-fraser-guidelines  (external site). It is still preferred that parents/guardians are involved. We encourage you to talk to your child about the vaccination before the session. 

Further resources 

If you have any questions about vaccinations or want more information, there are a few things you can do: 

  • Access more vaccination information from the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme (VPDP) phw.nhs.wales/vaccines 

  • Talk to a healthcare professional – the school nurse, practice nurse or GP  

You can find out how the NHS uses your information at 111.wales.nhs.uk/AboutUs/Yourinformation (external site). 

 

School age catch-up programme

The Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme (VPDP) has developed two short, anonymous surveys to gather insights into the barriers, enablers, and motivations for attending catch-up vaccination appointments. One survey is for parents/guardians, and one is for young people. 

To help us gather feedback, VPDP has produced a poster and a postcard, each containing QR codes linking directly to the surveys. These free resources are available to order here, and are intended for use in vaccination clinics and other relevant settings.  

 

Comics and audiovisuals made with young people

VPDP have worked with children and young people to create a series of vaccination resources specifically for schools and school staff. 

 

 

 

Information and resources for schools

 

Immune Patrol 

Register Now! Be a part of the All-Wales Pilot 

Immune Patrol is a game-based, learning programme developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and piloted by Public Health Wales (PHW), which is available in English and Welsh. It aims to strengthen understanding of vaccine literacy and public health among pupils, while supporting teachers to deliver engaging, curriculum-aligned content. 

Through digital gameplay, interactive modules, and reflective classroom activities, pupils explore how vaccines work, why they matter, and how to spot common misinformation related to health and immunisation. 

Click here to register and take part in the All-Wales 2025/26 bilingual pilot. 

You can access and download all programme resources via our Immune Patrol BrandKit album (free sign-up required).  

Book your Immune Patrol Welcome Meeting today 

Schools are encouraged to attend an Immune Patrol Welcome Meeting led by the VPDP Immune Patrol team. Each session provides an introduction to the Immune Patrol platform, followed by an open Q&A session designed to answer any initial questions and support schools in getting started with confidence. Healthcare professionals and other stakeholders who are supporting schools to implement or deliver Immune Patrol are also invited to attend.  

To attend a Welcome Meeting, please select and register for your preferred session through the following Eventbrite links: