Childhood immunisations

Childhood immunisations image

Home » Your Health and Care » Childhood immunisations

Immunisations are available against lots of infectious diseases which can cause serious illness or, in some cases, can be fatal. The NHS strongly recommends that children are vaccinated against these infections and has published a handy list of childhood immunisations and the age at which they’re usually given.

School-age vaccinations

Once your child starts school, they will usually be able to receive their vaccinations at school, where our NHS teams will make a special visit. Your child’s school will provide details of how to give your consent for your child to be vaccinated.

If your child is absent or unable to have a vaccination at school, you can use our catch-up sessions to ensure that they get the protection they need. These are listed below.

If you’re pregnant

If you’re pregnant then you should also make sure that you are protected against some nasty infections which can make you very poorly and can even cause damage to your baby. Get more information on recommended vaccinations here. To get vaccinated, you can speak to your midwife, your general practice or come to any of our sessions listed below.

Catch-up sessions

You can check your child’s vaccination record in their Red Book. If you think your child is behind on any immunisations, you can speak to your general practice, or attend any of the catch-up sessions which are offered at venues across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.

Our current list of catch-up clinics is below. This will be updated as more sessions are arranged. Parents/carers can call 0300 555 5055 (option 5) to book a slot in advance, or just walk in during the opening hours listed.

These clinics offer all vaccinations for children and young people which are given as part of the NHS immunisation programme. This includes MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), HPV (human papillomavirus), DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, polio), and all other vaccines the NHS offers. All of our clinics are free to attend.


BEDFORD BOROUGH
  • Every Monday up to and including 22 December: Kings House, 245 Ampthill Road, Bedford, MK42 9AZ (10:00-14:00)
  • Saturday 27 September: Great Denham Community Hall, 86-88 Saxon Way, Great Denham, MK40 4GP (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
  • Saturday 18 October: Church Lane Community Centre, 147 Church Lane, Bedford, MK41 0PW (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
  • Saturday 15 November: Wootton Community Centre, Harris Way, Wootton, Bedford, MK43 9FZ (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
  • Saturday 6 December: Church Lane Community Centre, 147 Church Lane, Bedford, MK41 0PW (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE
  • Saturday 11 October: The Weatherley Centre, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade, SG18 8JH (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
  • Tuesday 28 October: Linmere Farmstead, Huckett Street, Houghton Regis, LU5 5GX (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
  • Saturday 13 December: Vandyke Upper School, Vandyke Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 3DY (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
LUTON
  • Every Tuesday and Wednesday up to and including 17 December: Bury Park Community Centre, 161 Dunstable Road, Luton, LU1 1BW (10:00-14:00)
  • Sunday 19 October: Bury Park Community Centre, 161 Dunstable Road, Luton, LU1 1BW (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
  • Wednesday 29 October: Bury Park Community Centre, 161 Dunstable Road, Luton, LU1 1BW (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
  • Sunday 16 November: Bury Park Community Centre, 161 Dunstable Road, Luton, LU1 1BW (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
  • Sunday 14 December: Bury Park Community Centre, 161 Dunstable Road, Luton, LU1 1BW (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
  • Tuesday 23 December: Bury Park Community Centre, 161 Dunstable Road, Luton, LU1 1BW (10:00-14:00)
MILTON KEYNES
  • Thursday 2 October: MK Christian Centre, Strudwick Drive, Oldbrook, MK6 2TG (10:00-14:00)
  • Thursday 9 October: Summerlin Community Centre, 138 Station Road, Woburn Sands, MK17 8SG (10:00-14:00)
  • Thursday 16 October: MK Christian Centre, Strudwick Drive, Oldbrook, MK6 2TG (10:00-14:00)
  • Saturday 18 October: Marsh Drive Community Centre, Marsh Drive, Great Linford, MK14 5HP (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
  • Thursday 23 October: Summerlin Community Centre, 138 Station Road, Woburn Sands, MK17 8SG (10:00-14:00)
  • Thursday 30 October: MK Christian Centre, Strudwick Drive, Oldbrook, MK6 2TG (10:00-14:00)
  • Thursday 30 October: Giffard Park Community Centre, Broadway Avenue, Giffard Park, MK14 5GJ (10:00-14:00) – maternity and under-5 vaccinations only at this session; no school age vaccinations
  • Thursday 6 November: Summerlin Community Centre, 138 Station Road, Woburn Sands, MK17 8SG (10:00-14:00)
  • Thursday 13 November: MK Christian Centre, Strudwick Drive, Oldbrook, MK6 2TG (10:00-14:00)
  • Thursday 20 November: Summerlin Community Centre, 138 Station Road, Woburn Sands, MK17 8SG (10:00-14:00)
  • Saturday 22 November: Marsh Drive Community Centre, Marsh Drive, Great Linford, MK14 5HP (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
  • Thursday 27 November: MK Christian Centre, Strudwick Drive, Oldbrook, MK6 2TG (10:00-14:00)
  • Thursday 4 December: Summerlin Community Centre, 138 Station Road, Woburn Sands, MK17 8SG (10:00-14:00)
  • Thursday 18 December: Summerlin Community Centre, 138 Station Road, Woburn Sands, MK17 8SG (10:00-14:00) – maternity and under-5 vaccinations only at this session; no school age vaccinations
  • Saturday 20 December: Giffard Park Community Centre, Broadway Avenue, Giffard Park, MK14 5GJ (10:00-14:00) – no maternity or under-5 vaccinations at this session
View all news

Latest news and highlights

News

17 October 2025

Local care providers use digital toolkit to monitor vital signs and prevent…

A remote monitoring toolkit has demonstrated potential for empowering care staff to make data-led healthcare decisions about the people they care for. The Whzan blue…

News

15 October 2025

One in five eligible people has already had their flu jab

One in five people eligible for the flu immunisation in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes has already had their vaccination, new figures show. It’s always…

Case Study

9 October 2025

Robotic pets comfort Bedford care home residents with dementia

Bedford-based care home residents are reaping the benefits of robotic therapy pets. Hepworth House Residential Care Home has 15 residents and since April 2025, two residents with dementia have been…

News

2 October 2025

Digital tool improves mobility and balance in people at risk of falls

The largest real-world evaluation of GaitSmart, an AI-driven digital tool for people with gait (walking pattern) and mobility issues across four sites in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, has seen improved health…

News

2 October 2025

Asthma inhaler project scoops prize at NHS awards ceremony

A revolutionary project which has improved care for asthma patients whilst also reducing emissions of harmful greenhouse gases and saving money was among the winners at an NHS awards ceremony.…

News

30 September 2025

Chief Executive appointed to lead new ‘Central East’ ICB cluster

Jan Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care Board, has been appointed as the Chief Executive of the ‘Central East’ Integrated Care Board (ICB) cluster.  …