Moved to the UK: migrant immunisation
Updated 9 February 2022
Applies to England
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In England, most vaccinations are offered free on the NHS. Vaccinations can protect you throughout your life. To protect children as early as possible many vaccines are offered to babies and toddlers before they start school. As vaccinations are so well accepted in England, they are not mandatory.
Vaccinations are usually given by practice nurses at your GP practice. Practice nurses are specially trained to give advice and offer vaccines. The nurse will carefully check the medical history but, as long as you or your child is well, an examination by a doctor is not needed.
Older children are offered some vaccinations in school. Vaccinations for adults are normally offered at your GP practice or pharmacy.
If you are unsure if you or your child has had all the recommended vaccinations in England – check with your GP practice. It is never too late to catch-up on the vaccinations recommended in England.
Vaccines are the safest way to protect you and your family from serious infections – they help you stay healthy.
Registering with a GP practice
Anyone in England can register with a GP practice and see a primary care doctor or nurse for free. You do not need to provide proof of identity, address or of immigration status in order to register with a GP practice. This also applies if you are an asylum seeker, refugee, a homeless patient or an overseas visitor, whether lawfully in the UK or not.
You should register even if you are fit and well. You never know when you may need health care and the practice can offer preventive services to keep you healthy. You may have to pay for some treatment on the NHS, but routine vaccinations are free. If you need a chaperone or an interpreter, ask your GP practice.
You can find details on how to register with a GP at NHS.UK. If you have problems accessing health care, dial 111.
The Primary Medical Care Policy and Guidance Manual (PGM) has current NHSE registration guidance, and the British Medical Association (BMA) has a rough guide to migrant health needs within its Refugee and asylum seeker patient health toolkit.
You have a right to register and receive treatment from a GP practice.
Different countries offer different vaccines
It is good to check with your GP practice and make sure you have had all of the vaccines we offer for free here in England. It does not matter why you have missed them, it is important to catch up and get protected.
Some infections can be more common in other countries, so it is also important to check if you need any extra vaccines before you travel overseas to visit family and friends – some travel vaccines are not free on the NHS.
When and what vaccines are given routinely in England
Vaccinations are offered to new-born babies, young children, teenagers, pregnant women and older people. You can find out more about the vaccination schedule on NHS.UK. If you have missed any of the vaccines in the UK schedule, you may still need protection, even at an older age. Ask your GP or nurse to check if you need a catch-up dose.
Babies and toddlers need vaccinations to protect them from childhood infections including measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, diphtheria, whooping cough, meningitis, polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, tuberculosis (TB) and more.
Pre-school children need booster vaccinations for some of the diseases listed above. This helps to protect children better and for longer. Primary school children are offered flu vaccination every year.
Teenagers need another top up (booster) vaccination for some of these infections, including meningitis, to give longer lasting protection into adulthood. They are also offered the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine which can prevent some cancers.
If you are planning a baby then you should check you have received all of your vaccinations – especially 2 doses of MMR – before you get pregnant.
If you are pregnant you need vaccinations to protect you and your baby from whooping cough and flu. You should also be screened (have a blood test) for infections such as hepatitis B which can pass from mother to child. Some babies may need an extra hepatitis B vaccination at birth.
Older people need vaccinations to protect them against flu, pneumonia and shingles.
Talk to your GP or practice nurse to check if you or your child need any routine or extra vaccines.
Some people may need extra vaccines
Some people are more likely to suffer serious illness from infections and should be offered extra vaccinations to help protect them. This includes people living with a chronic illness that affects their major organs or their immune system.
Hepatitis A
The vaccine is needed for people at high risk of hepatitis A, including those with liver disease and families where a case has been reported.
Hepatitis B
Extra hepatitis B vaccine is also available for people with liver disease or those with a high chance of catching the infection (for example babies born to women with hepatitis B or people who have a partner or family member with the infection). Ask your GP practice if you or your baby should receive hepatitis B vaccination.
Tuberculosis
The Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is needed by children and adults living in areas with high rates of TB. People with close family members with TB also need the BCG vaccine.
If you or someone you care about are ill
Call NHS 111 if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation. You can also call NHS 111 if you’re not sure which NHS service you need.
Ask your local pharmacist for advice. Your pharmacist can give you advice for many common minor illnesses, such as diarrhoea, minor infections, headache, travel advice or sore throat.
Make an appointment with your GP if you are feeling unwell and it is not an emergency.
Visit a walk-in centre, minor injuries unit or urgent care centre if you have a minor illness or injury (cuts, sprains or rashes) and it can’t wait until your GP surgery opens.
Call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
An A&E department (also known as emergency department or casualty) deals with genuine life-threatening emergencies. People are seen and treated in order of need.