GP switch to MMRV vaccine successful, suggests early uptake data
Changes to the childhood vaccination schedule have been implemented seamlessly by GP practices, figures from the first six months suggest.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for England suggest good early uptake of MMRV and a boost in the numbers of babies getting their second MenB vaccine dose on time.
A move from MMR to MMRV began in January as part of a series of changes to the childhood immunisation schedule to incorporate the chicken pox vaccine.
It included a new 18-month appointment for children to receive the second dose of the MMRV much earlier than in the previous pre-school booster slot.
On the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the second MenB does was also moved from 16 weeks to 12 weeks last summer.
The provisional figures show coverage of the second MenB dose in six-month-old babies reached 89.8% in April 2026, a 4.6 percentage point increase compared to April 2025.
By April more than 35,000 children who became newly eligible in January for their first dose of chickenpox/MMRV vaccine when they turned 12 months old were vaccinated equating to 77% uptake, UKHSA reported.
It provides early evidence that uptake has been sustained following the switch to the new schedule, UKHSA said.
However, there remains significant variation across England with MMR or MMRV first dose coverage for April ranging from 72.0% in London to 83.0% in the South West, the figures showed.
While many children do catch up over time with MMR first dose coverage increasing to 92.6% in those aged five years, ongoing measles outbreaks underpin the importance of ensuring protection as early as possible, UKHSA officials said.
A further 65 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been reported in England in the past fortnight, bringing the total for the year so far to 801, compared to 959 cases for the whole of 2025.
Two children have died from measles this year and 60% of cases have been in those under the age of 10 years.
NHS England has confirmed that the 2026/27 national vaccines and immunisations catch-up campaign will focus on MMR/V vaccination in response to measles outbreaks and England losing its World Health Organization measles elimination status.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA deputy director of immunisation, said the report provides the first evidence of the positive impact of the changes to the childhood schedule.
‘Giving the second MenB dose earlier means babies are now protected against meningococcal B disease a full month earlier in life.’
She added that sadly we continue to see the consequences of sub-optimal MMR/V vaccine uptake.
‘Confirmed measles cases have risen significantly this year, and two children have tragically lost their lives to this disease.
‘With uptake rates still well below the level needed to stop outbreaks, I urge every parent to check whether their child is up to date with their vaccinations.’
Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said the figures on the changes to the schedule were ‘encouraging’.
‘Recent changes to the childhood immunisation schedule have made it easier for parents and have been well supported by our incredible NHS who are also now working hard on the MMRV catch-up campaign.
‘But vaccination rates for children are still too low. These vaccines are safe, effective and protect against serious illness.
‘I’d strongly urge all parents to take up the offer when it comes and to check their children’s record to ensure no vaccinations are missing.’
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