Parents urged to keep childhood vaccinations on schedule as uptake remains low

The full picture

This article discusses the importance of keeping up with childhood vaccinations in England. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has released annual data showing that vaccination rates among young children are below the World Health Organization's target of 95%. While coverage at age five is stabilizing, it remains low, and there have been declines in younger age groups. Vaccinations like MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and the 6-in-1 vaccine protect against serious illnesses such as measles, which can spread easily in schools.

The UK Health Security Agency has urged parents in England to vaccinate their children at the right time after publishing annual COVER data for 2025 to March 2026.[1] The figures show that uptake of key NHS childhood vaccines by age five is stabilising, but remains well below the World Health Organization’s 95% target.[1] The apparent stabilisation follows a decade of slow decline across all childhood vaccines in England.[1] UKHSA said uptake among children measured at ages one and two decreased again for every vaccine covered by the latest figures.[1] Among children reaching primary-school age, uptake of vaccines including MMR and the 6-in-1 vaccine has remained stable for the past three years.[1] Coverage for two MMR doses, measured at age five, was 83.8% in 2025-26, compared with 83.7% in 2024-25 and 83.9% in the other year included in the supplied evidence.[1] The gap between current coverage and the WHO target remains substantial.[1] High vaccine uptake helps prevent outbreaks and limits the spread of serious infections, including measles.[1] Measles is highly infectious and can spread particularly readily in closed environments such as schools.[1] That makes vaccination timing important before children enter settings where they spend extended periods with other children.[1] UKHSA says children should receive vaccinations at the right time so that they are protected when they are most vulnerable.[1] Timely vaccination also helps ensure children are protected when they begin nursery and school.[1] The 6-in-1 vaccine referenced in the data protects against infections including diphtheria, whooping cough and polio.[1] MMR and 6-in-1 are among the key vaccines offered through the NHS childhood vaccination schedule and measured before children start primary school.[1] The latest release therefore presents a mixed picture: coverage measured at age five is no longer showing the same downward movement, while the younger age groups have recorded another decrease.[1] Parents are being reminded to follow the timing of the NHS childhood vaccination schedule, while future COVER data will show whether stabilisation at age five is sustained.[1]

Why now?

UKHSA has published its latest annual COVER data, covering childhood vaccinations in 2025 to March 2026.[1] The release shows stabilisation at age five alongside renewed decreases at ages one and two, prompting the agency’s reminder to parents.[1]