The patient journey checklist

You may have questions about whether there’s anything you need to do before you attend your child’s vaccination appointment, as well as what to expect when you arrive and where to find aftercare information.

To help you, here’s the typical child’s patient journey – with links to other pages on our site with the information you might need:

Before your consultation

Write down any questions that you would like to discuss
Note any vaccines that you particularly do – or don’t – want your child to have

If you’re following an NHS schedule or attending for additional vaccines, e.g. Chickenpox or BCG, then a consultation isn’t necessary unless you have specific concerns you wish to discuss.

Prior to the vaccination appointment, please ensure that:

You know which vaccine your child is attending for (it should be the next vaccine in your written schedule).
Your child had any previous doses of the same vaccine they will be attending for at least four weeks ago (we take this into account when arranging your child’s vaccine schedule so it would only be an issue if they had a previous dose through someone other than BabyJabs).
Your child has not been in direct contact with chickenpox within the last two weeks (unless coming for a post-exposure chickenpox vaccine, which can be given up to five days after your child came into contact with chickenpox).
Your child has not taken any oral antibiotics or steroids within the last seven days.
Your child has not had a high temperature, diarrhoea or vomiting within the last 48 hours. (We will not vaccinate if your child has a high temperature.)
Your child has not been given any paracetamol or ibuprofen products before vaccination, unless prone to febrile convulsions. If your child is prone to febrile convulsions, please discuss this with us at the consultation.
It has been at least a week since your child has fully recovered from any other viral illness.

You should also:

Please ensure all online forms are completed prior to your child’s appointment and all parental ID has been uploaded (this is to confirm your identity and that you are authorised to consent to your child being vaccinated).
Bring your child’s Personal Child Health Record (“Red Book”).
Plan your travel arrangements so you arrive at the appointment on time.
Apply Emla numbing cream to your child’s arm or leg one hour before the appointment, if this is something you’ve decided to use, particularly for older anxious children.

Got questions? You can find the answers to our most frequently asked questions here.

During your child’s appointment

Let reception know that you’ve arrived for your child’s appointment.
It is necessary that the child’s legal guardian/legal parent must sign the consent form at the first visit or we will be unable to immunise the child. Verbal consent is given during subsequent appointments.
Help your child to relax with their favourite distractions.

Receive aftercare advice from a member of the BabyJabs clinical team.

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After your child’s appointment

Follow the aftercare directions given to you following your child’s immunisation (click here for aftercare information).
Be aware that your child may experience redness, tenderness or bruising at the injection site and that this is rarely a cause for concern. With the BCG vaccine, in particular, a small lump will appear at the injection site and will increase in size over a few weeks before healing and leaving a small, flat scar.
Your child may also experience a slightly raised temperature and other mild side effects after their vaccines. These issues usually self-resolve within 24 hours.
Forward the letter confirming which vaccinations your child has had to your GP for their records.

Please contact us if you are concerned that your child is experiencing more severe side effects due to being vaccinated.

If your child is unwell outside clinic hours, please call 111 for advice. Always go to A&E if they need urgent medical attention.