The UK’s routine childhood immunisation schedule is reviewed regularly to ensure the highest level of protection for babies and young children across the country. Changes to the schedule have recently been introduced to reflect the latest medical guidance. These have been introduced in stages, beginning in July 2025, with additional updates from January 2026.
Our priority is to ensure every child receives the best possible protection against preventable diseases. We appreciate that changes to vaccination schedules may raise questions, and we are here to provide support for our patients and the wider community.
What has changed since 1st July 2025?
Meningitis B vaccine
- Old schedule: Given at 8 weeks and 16 weeks.
- New schedule: Given at 8 weeks and 12 weeks. This change aims to protect babies earlier when they are most vulnerable to this disease.
Discontinuation of Hib/MenC (Menitorix) vaccine
- Old schedule: Given at 1 year
- New schedule: No longer given to children born on or after 1st July 2024. This is due to the manufacturer of the Menitorix vaccine ceasing production.
Pneumoccocal (PCV13) vaccine
- Old schedule: Given at 12 weeks
- New schedule: Given at 16 weeks. This change helps to reduce the number of injections given at the 12 week appointment.
Hepatitis B (at-risk babies only)
- Old schedule: Babies at risk of Hepatitis B are given a monovalent HepB vaccine at birth, 4 weeks and 1 year.
- New schedule: The 1 year dose has been removed. This is because babies will receive a routine 6-in-1 vaccination at the new 18-month appointment (see below).
What has changed since 1st January 2026?
Introduction of a new 18-month vaccination appointment
- Children born on or after 1st July 2024 will be offered a new routine vaccination appointment at 18 months of age. They will receive a 4th dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine to maintain protection against Hib and HepB.
Earlier second MMR dose
- Old schedule: Given at 3 years and 4 months
- New schedule: Given at the new 18 month appointment, for children born on or after 1st July 2024. This change aims to improve uptake and provide earlier protection against measles, mumps and rubella
Replacement of MMR with MMRV
- The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine will be replaced with the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccine. When your child will be offered this depends on their date of birth.
- This guide details if your child is eligible for the vaccine, when they will be offered it and answers some FAQs about this new vaccine.
Where can I find more information?
We understand that these changes may raise questions. Patients are always welcome to make an appointment with one of our nurses to discuss the updated schedule and have any concerns addressed.
The full updated routine childhood vaccination schedule can be found on our website here under the Child Immunisations tab.
The full NHS vaccination schedule can be found here.
Information about why these changes are being made are detailed further here.
Frequently asked questions about the new MMRV vaccine are answered here.
