The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England have announced significant changes to the routine childhood vaccination schedule, taking effect from 1 July 2025 and 1 January 2026. These updates are designed to optimise protection against serious diseases and improve vaccine uptake at key developmental stages.

These changes are required as a result of the discontinuation of the manufacture of Menitorix (Hib/MenC) vaccine. This has prompted the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to recommend and advise on a number of other changes to the national childhood immunisation schedule to optimise the overall protection of children in the UK.

Childhood immunisation eligibility calculator can be downloaded (MS Excel file).

Please share this information with your teams involved in vaccinations.

A summary of the changes to the childhood schedule from 1 July 2025 and 1 January 2026 is set out in tables 1 and 2 of the guidance and below:

From 1st July 2025

At 12 and 16 Weeks

• The 2nd dose of the Meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine will move from 16 weeks to 12 weeks.
• The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) will move from 12 weeks to 16 weeks.

At the 1-Year Appointment

• The Hib/MenC (Menitorix) vaccine will be withdrawn for children born on or after 1st July 2024, as it is being discontinued by the manufacturer.
• Until 30th June 2025, practices may continue to offer the 4th dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine at the 1-year appointment.
• From 1st July 2025, the 4th 6-in-1 dose will no longer be given at 1 year and will instead be moved to a new appointment at 18 months (see below).

From 1st January 2026

A new 18-month vaccination appointment is being introduced for children born on or after 1st July 2024. This will include:

• The 4th dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine, replacing the withdrawn Hib/MenC.
• The 2nd dose of the MMR vaccine, which will be brought forward from the current schedule at 3 years 4 months.

These changes will be incorporated into Ardens Clinical templates and invitation reports to ensure your practice remains fully aligned with national guidance.

Any children with an incomplete immunisation history for their age should be managed according to the UKHSA uncertain or incomplete immunisation algorithm, which is being updated to reflect these changes.

Redbook

The Redbook inserts are free and available to order from sales@harlowsolutions.co.uk or by phone 0191 455 4286. There are charges to providers for the Redbooks.  To order resources, visit the health publications website. Please register as a health professional and you can order 500-1,000 leaflets free of charge including delivery.