We all need to have jabs, but do you know which ones you should have had and when? Doctors and other health professionals use computer databases to look for the latest information about vaccinations.

Using a searchable database you can quickly look up the information that you need. You might want to find out what vaccinations are given at different ages or whether any boosters are required.

First you need to research the information about vaccinations. You could use:

• leaflets from your doctor’s surgery
• the Health Education England website at http://www.immunisation.org.uk

You will need to enter your information in fields. Here are some ideas for important information to collect:

• name of the disease
• microbe that causes it
• age when the vaccination is given
• how the vaccination is given, eg by mouth or by injection
• notes

Use the database to answer these questions. It would be more interesting to use someone else’s database.

1. When should children be vaccinated against measles?
2. What is the MMR vaccination?
3. What vaccinations should children have in their first year?
4. What is the cause of meningitis?
5. Which vaccinations can be given by mouth?