The 8-week appointment is the first of your baby's routine NHS vaccinations, and for many parents the one they worry about most. Your baby has two injections, both in the thigh, and some drops of rotavirus vaccine in the mouth. It is usually done by the practice nurse at your GP surgery and takes a few minutes.
It is often booked around the same time as the 6 to 8 week baby check, but they are two different appointments - the check looks at your baby's growth and development, the jabs are a separate nurse appointment.
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.
One injection that protects your baby against six serious infections at once. Giving them together means fewer needles and earlier protection against illnesses that are most dangerous in the first months of life.
Liquid drops into your baby's mouth - no needle. Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe tummy bugs in young children and a frequent reason babies are admitted to hospital with dehydration.
Protects against the most common cause of meningitis and blood poisoning in UK babies. Because MenB can raise a fever, your nurse will recommend giving infant paracetamol around this vaccine.
Get infant paracetamol before the appointment
This is the one thing most worth doing in advance. The MenB vaccine often causes a high temperature, so the NHS recommends giving your baby infant paracetamol after the MenB jabs at 8 and 12 weeks.
You give 3 doses: the first as soon as possible after the vaccination, the second 4 to 6 hours later, and the third 4 to 6 hours after that. Leave at least 4 hours between doses and never give more than 4 doses in 24 hours. The nurse will tell you the amount for your baby, and the UKHSA leaflet linked below has the details.
On the day
Bring your baby's red book (the Personal Child Health Record) so the nurse can record the vaccines. Dress your baby in something that makes their legs easy to reach.
Feeding or cuddling your baby straight after the injections is a good way to settle them - many parents breastfeed or give a bottle right after.
The rotavirus vaccine and nappies
For a few weeks after the drops, your baby's poo may contain a weakened version of rotavirus. The risk of anyone getting ill from it is very small, but keep washing your hands well, especially after nappy changes.
Your baby can feed as normal and carry on their usual activities, including swimming.
What is normal afterwards
- Swelling, redness or a small lump where the injections went in.
- A high temperature, especially after MenB - this is why the paracetamol is recommended.
- Being more sleepy, irritable or off their feeds for a day or two.
- Runny poo after the rotavirus drops.
When to get help
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if your child:
- is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38C or higher (or you think they do)
- still has a high temperature more than 48 hours after the MenB vaccination
- keeps being sick, has blood in their poo or poo that looks like redcurrant jelly, or has a swollen or painful tummy - rare signs of a blocked bowel after rotavirus vaccine
- stops feeding, has fewer wet nappies, or you are worried about them in any way
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.
12 weeks: 6-in-1 vaccine (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB), MenB vaccine, Rotavirus 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.
Yes. Premature babies have their vaccinations at the same age as other babies, counted from their actual date of birth, not their due date. This is because they can be more at risk from these infections.
Giving them together means your baby is protected as early as possible against infections that are most dangerous in the first months of life. The vaccines are tested to be given together and it does not overload a baby's immune system.
Contact your GP surgery to rebook as soon as you can. The rotavirus vaccine has an age limit - the first dose has to be given before 15 weeks - so it is worth catching up quickly.
- United Kingdom schedule - NHS / UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
- NHS - Vaccinations and when to have them
- NHS - 6-in-1 vaccine
- NHS - Rotavirus vaccine
- NHS - MenB vaccine for children
- GOV.UK (UKHSA) - MenB vaccine and paracetamol
Checked against these NHS pages on 1 November 2026. How we research and check: our editorial policy.
Other United Kingdom appointments
12-week jabs · 16-week jabs · 1-year jabs · 18-month jabs · Pre-school booster