Childhood immunisations

6-in-1 vaccine

The 6-in-1 vaccine helps protect children against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, and Hepatitis B. Babies are offered three doses of this vaccine at ages 8, 12, and 16 weeks. 

In 2023, Scotland had achieved a 96% coverage of the 6-in-1 vaccine among children at age 12 months. At a local authority level, Glasgow City Region and Edinburgh, respectively, had achieved 95% coverage while Dundee (92%) and Aberdeen (94%) had slightly lower levels. 

MMR vaccine

The MMR vaccine protects children against measles, mumps, and rubella. Children are offered two doses: the first at age 12-13 months, and a booster at age three years and four months. To achieve and maintain disease elimination the World Health Organisation recommends 95% uptake of all doses of the MMR vaccine.

In 2023, 92% of children in Glasgow City Region aged 24 months had received the first MMR dose. Vaccine coverage only reached the 95% target among three-to five-year-olds. This trend was seen across Scotland, and within Dundee, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh.

Despite good uptake of the MMR first dose, coverage of the MMR booster failed to reach the WHO target. In Glasgow City Region in 2023, 90% of children aged 24 months, and 89% of children aged five years received the booster vaccination, respectively. This was mirrored at a national level, and in other Scottish cities.

Notes

There is no data on uptake of flu vaccines among children and young people in Scotland, despite all children being routinely offered the flu vaccine from age two years. 

This page was updated in May 2024.