The 16-week appointment completes your baby's first set of vaccinations. They have two injections: the third dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine and the first dose of the pneumococcal vaccine (often called PCV).
There is no MenB and no rotavirus today, so there are no drops and no routine paracetamol plan. After this, the next jabs are not until around their first birthday.
From the official NHS schedule, last checked 16 September 2026. Reflects the schedule for a baby born in 2026. Children born earlier may follow slightly different dates during the 2024-2026 transition to the 4-dose 6-in-1, the 18-month appointment and MMRV (which now includes chickenpox) - your GP or Red Book has the exact plan.
The third dose completes the closely spaced early course. A fourth dose follows at 18 months.
Protects against pneumococcus, a common bacterium that can cause pneumonia, ear infections and, more rarely, meningitis in young children.
What the pneumococcal vaccine is for
Pneumococcal bacteria can cause pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis and ear infections, and are most dangerous for very young children. The vaccine is given today and again as a booster at 1 year.
It used to start at 12 weeks; since the 2025 schedule change it starts at 16 weeks, with the booster at 1 year.
Pain relief if needed
Because MenB is not given today, you do not need to give paracetamol in advance. If your baby has a temperature or seems uncomfortable afterwards, the NHS says you can give paracetamol for children (or ibuprofen for children, once they are old enough - check the packaging, as it depends on age and weight).
What is normal afterwards
- Swelling or pain where the injections were given.
- A high temperature.
- Tiredness, loss of appetite or irritability for a day or so.
When to get help
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if your child:
- is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39C or higher (or you think they do)
- has a seizure (fit)
- is unwell and you are worried about them
Call 999 if your child has difficulty breathing, is floppy or unresponsive, or has a fit for the first time.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Your GP, practice nurse, health visitor or pharmacist can advise on your own child.
1 year (12-13 months): MMRV vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV), MenB vaccine.
Enter your child's date of birth on our United Kingdom schedule page to see when each appointment is due, and add reminders to your phone calendar.
At 1 year (12 to 13 months): the MMRV vaccine (for children born on or after 1 January 2025), the pneumococcal booster and the MenB booster. Your GP surgery should invite you.
Not quite. Children born on or after 1 July 2024 have a fourth 6-in-1 dose at 18 months. Older children had a different booster instead.
Yes. There is no need to keep your baby at home after the 16-week jabs unless they are unwell.
- United Kingdom schedule - NHS / UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
- NHS - Vaccinations and when to have them
- NHS - 6-in-1 vaccine
- NHS - Pneumococcal vaccine
Checked against these NHS pages on 1 November 2026. How we research and check: our editorial policy.
Other United Kingdom appointments
8-week jabs · 12-week jabs · 1-year jabs · 18-month jabs · Pre-school booster