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The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed changes to the routine childhood vaccination schedule which includes changes to the selective hepatitis B vaccination programme from 1 July and the introduction of a new 18-month routine vaccination appointment.

From 1 January 2026 additional changes bring forward the second MMR dose (MMR2) from 3 years 4 months to 18 months of age.

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

For children born on or after 1 July, the  JCV has agreed that protection against MenC is no longer required in this age group due to the excellent population control provided by vaccination of adolescents. Sustaining coverage of MenACWY in adolescents is important to maintain indirect protection.

Following a recent clinical study and a review of the epidemiology, the JCVI has advised bringing forward the second dose of MenB vaccine to provide earlier protection against this serious infection.

To avoid increasing the number of injections for children attending for their second routine visit at 12 weeks, the first dose of PCV13 will be moved to the 16-week visit.

Details of these and other changes are set out in the new routine childhood vaccination schedule.