Parents and carers can pick up free bookmarks with an at-a-glance overview of all childhood vaccines at any of Hull’s libraries, museums, customer service centres and Family Hubs. The essential checklist includes every recommended inoculation for babies, children and during pregnancy. They are designed to be a handy reminder people can take home and keep, so they can ensure no vaccines are missed.
Children should receive a number of different vaccinations from eight-weeks-old, to the age of 14. This helps protect them against a range of illnesses, many of which can have serious life-long complications, or even prove fatal. Vaccines recommended during pregnancy protect the recipient, as well as providing babies with immunity once they arrive. A well-vaccinated population also helps protect those who cannot have vaccines themselves for health reasons.
Nationally, as well as in Hull, vaccination rates have dropped over the past few years, leaving more people vulnerable to infections like measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, flu and others.
Recent revisions to the vaccine schedule mean babies are now also vaccinated against Chicken Pox, which can have rare but serious complications.
Cllr Linda Chambers, Portfolio Holder for Public Health at Hull City Council, said: “These bookmarks are widely available around the city. They provide a handy reminder of the recommended vaccinations for children, as well as women in pregnancy.
“If you spot something on the list that you think your child has missed, you can contact your GP, check, and make an appointment to catch-up if needed.
“Vaccination protects children from both serious illnesses, and the potential complications they can cause. For example, up to 40 per cent of children who catch measles will need hospital care*. In the case of the HPV vaccine, which is offered to both girls and boys at age 12 to 13, it protects against the HPV virus itself, and a number of cancers.
“We know some people have questions about vaccine safety, and effectiveness. It’s important anyone with questions seeks out reliable information from trusted sources like the NHS, or the World Health Organisation. The evidence is absolutely overwhelming that the safest thing for your child, is to vaccinate them”.
Collect a bookmark at your nearest Family Hub, library, museum or Customer Contact Centre (CSC). For a list of recommended childhood vaccines, visit: Complete routine immunisation schedule from 1 January 2026 – GOV.UK For information about vaccine safety: Frequently Asked Questions about Vaccines.
*UK government data, 2023