What the 4-in-1 pre-school booster is for
The 4-in-1 pre-school booster helps protect children against 4 serious illnesses:
It boosts the protection provided by the 6-in-1 vaccine.
Who should have the 4-in-1 pre-school booster
The 4-in-1 pre-school booster is recommended for children aged 3 years, 4 months old before they start school.
They're given 1 dose of the vaccine as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.
If your child has missed their 4-in-1 pre-school booster, contact their GP surgery. It's best to have it on time, but they can still have the 4-in-1 vaccine up to the age of 10.
Who cannot have the 4-in-1 pre-school booster
Most children can have the 4-in-1 pre-school booster.
The only reasons your child cannot have the vaccine is if either:
- they've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a vaccine that protects against diphtheria, polio, tetanus or whooping cough (such as the 6-in-1 vaccine)
- they've had a serious allergic reaction to anything in the vaccine (including neomycin, polymyxin or formaldehyde)
Getting vaccinated if your child is unwell
Your child can have the 4-in-1 vaccine if they're unwell but they do not have a high temperature.
If your child has a high temperature, wait until they're feeling better before having the vaccine.
4-in-1 pre-school booster ingredients
There are 2 types of 4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccines given in the UK. You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflets:
How to get the 4-in-1 pre-school booster
Your GP surgery will usually contact you about your child's 4-in-1 pre-school booster. This will usually be by letter, text, phone call or email.
It's best to have the 4-in-1 pre-school booster on time, but children can still have it up to the age of 10.
Non-urgent advice: Speak to your GP surgery if:
- you have not been contacted to get your child's 4-in-1 pre-school booster
- your child has missed their 4-in-1 pre-school booster
- your child is unwell and is due to have the 4-in-1 pre-school booster – they may need to wait until they're feeling better before having the vaccine
- you need to change a vaccination appointment
Your GP surgery can book or rearrange an appointment.
Appointment advice for parents
Side effects of the 4-in-1 pre-school booster
Most of the side effects of the 4-in-1 pre-school booster are mild and usually get better within a few days.
They can include:
- swelling or pain where the injection was given
- feeling tired or irritable
- a high temperature
- a headache
A hard lump may appear where the vaccine was given, but this will usually go after a few weeks.
More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are very rare. The person who vaccinates your child will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
More about vaccine safety
Find out more about why vaccinations are important and the safest way to protect yourself