EnglandHealth and safetyGood to know

Vaccine uptake steadies at age five but falls for younger children

UK Health Security Agency figures for England show no routine childhood vaccine reaches the 95% target, as parents are urged to check their children are up to date.

A toddler's divided plate of kiwi, cucumber, raspberries, blueberries and cereal next to a beaker and a bowl. — Stock photo, for illustration

Hubba TrainingOfficial sources

Published 27 August 20262 min read

At a glance

uptake of 2 MMR doses at age five

The UK Health Security Agency says uptake of key childhood vaccines by age five is showing signs of stabilising.
Uptake measured at ages one and two fell again for all vaccines, according to the latest annual figures for England.
None of the vaccines in the schedule now meet the World Health Organization target of 95%.

Uptake of key childhood vaccines by age five is showing signs of stabilising in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on 27 August.

This follows a decade of slow decline. But uptake measured at ages one and two fell again for all vaccines, according to the latest annual figures.

The figures come from UKHSA's cover of vaccination evaluated rapidly (COVER) data for April 2025 to March 2026.

The figures at age five

2 doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine: 83.8%, compared with 83.7% the year before
the 6-in-1 vaccine, which includes diphtheria, whooping cough and polio: 92.9%, compared with 92.8%
the 4-in-1 pre-school booster, offered from 3 years 4 months: 81.9%, up from 81.3%

The pre-school booster has the lowest uptake. UKHSA said it is too early to say whether its small rise is the start of an upward trend.

None of the vaccines in the schedule now meet the World Health Organization (WHO) target of 95%. Coverage is lowest in London for all the measures.

Why it matters

UKHSA said high uptake is needed to prevent outbreaks of serious infections, including measles, which is highly infectious particularly in closed environments like schools.

It is reminding parents that vaccinating children at the right time protects them and helps them thrive when starting nursery and school.

“Parents should check their children are up to date with all their vaccines and, if not, contact your GP practice as soon as possible.”

Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Immunisation at UK Health Security Agency

From 1 January 2026, the NHS added protection against chickenpox to the routine childhood programme, through the combined measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (MMRV) vaccine.

Vaccines are free on the NHS, starting from 8 weeks old. Catch-up appointments are available through GPs.

For your setting

What this means for your setting

0 of 4 done

You may want to remind families to check their child's vaccinations are up to date, and to contact their GP practice if not.
The pre-school booster, offered from 3 years 4 months, has the lowest uptake, so you may want to mention it to families of three and four-year-olds.
UKHSA says high uptake is needed to prevent outbreaks of diseases such as measles, so sharing its message with families can help.
Families who have missed a vaccine can still catch up, as UKHSA says it is never too late for most childhood vaccines.

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Does this apply in Scotland? These figures and this advice are for England.

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Licence.

At a glance

uptake of 2 MMR doses at age five

The UK Health Security Agency says uptake of key childhood vaccines by age five is showing signs of stabilising.
Uptake measured at ages one and two fell again for all vaccines, according to the latest annual figures for England.
None of the vaccines in the schedule now meet the World Health Organization target of 95%.