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Vaccine update: issue 359, June 2025, Childhood Changes special

Published 1 July 2025

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2025

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vaccine-update-issue-359-june-2025-childhood-schedule-changes-special/vaccine-update-issue-359-june-2025-childhood-changes-special

The childhood vaccination programme is changing

The infant vaccination schedule is being evaluated constantly to give infants the best protection when they need it. Successful vaccination programmes result in better control of infectious diseases and reduction in the numbers of children becoming unwell and needing hospital treatment.

Changes to the infant schedule

From July 2025, the routine childhood vaccination schedule is changing. All vaccines required to support the routine childhood vaccination schedule will remain available via ImmForm in the usual way. Providers should note that while, from 1 July 2025, children turning one year old will no longer be offered Menitorix®, Menitorix® will remain available via ImmForm for those children previously eligible for it. Once central supplies of Menitorix® deplete, children previously eligible for Menitorix® should be offered a dose of hexavalent vaccine, also available via ImmForm.

From 1 July 2025, changes are being made to the infant schedule at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age:

  • the meningococcal B vaccine, previously offered at 8 and 16 weeks will be offered at 8 and 12 weeks of age
  • the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) previously offered at 12 weeks of age will be offered at 16 weeks of age
  • cessation of routine Hib/Men C (Menitorix) for children turning one on or after 1 July 2025
  • cessation of monovalent hepatitis B dose offered at one year in selective neonatal Hep B programme

From January 2026

  • introduction of an additional fourth dose of DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB at new 18-month appointment
  • second MMR dose will be moved from 3 years 4 months to 18 months

Background to the changes

  • manufacturing of the Hib/MenC (Menitorix®) vaccine has been discontinued. Remaining Menitorix should only be offered to those infants born on or before 30 June 2024 who have not yet received their one year vaccinations. After Menitorix stocks are depleted, they should be offered a fourth dose of Hexavalent alongside the other vaccines scheduled at one year of age
  • whilst vaccination against MenC in early childhood is no longer considered necessary, vaccination against Hib in the second year of life needs to continue
  • the JCVI therefore recommended that an additional dose of a Hib-containing vaccine (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccine) should be administered at a new vaccination appointment at age 18 months
  • this new 18-month appointment also provides an opportunity to increase the uptake by moving the second dose of MMR vaccine from 3 years 4 months to 18 months of age
  • from 1 July 2025 Menitorix® will no longer be offered at 12 months and from 1 January 2026, an additional dose of DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccine will be offered at a new 18-month appointment
  • additionally, from 1 July 2025, the order of vaccines in the infant schedule will change: MenB vaccine will be given at 8 and 12 weeks and PCV13 will be given at 16 weeks

Rationale for the changes to the infant schedule

  • meningococcal serogroup B is responsible for the majority of UK invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases
  • following introduction of the routine MenB vaccination programme, peak age of infection has shifted from 5 to 6 months to 1 to 3 months of age
  • a substantial proportion of cases were occurring before infants gained protection from their second dose of vaccine given at 16 weeks
  • the change in epidemiology of IMD means it would be beneficial to move the second dose of MenB vaccine to 12 weeks of age to provide earlier protection
  • moving the PCV dose to 16 weeks avoids increasing the number of injections at the second vaccination appointment at 12 weeks
  • young children will be protected by very high levels of herd immunity against the pneumococcal vaccine serotypes until they receive their dose of PCV13 at 16 weeks
  • although previously an 8-week interval between doses of MenB vaccine was recommended, evidence from a recent study showed a good response was made when the 2 doses were given 4 weeks apart

Updated resources

We have compiled a bumper special to accompany these changes so read on to find out about the relevant training and guidance documents, patient and healthcare professional resources that have been updated and are now available. Many of the resources are download only but all other paper resources can be ordered from Health Publications now.

Please register as a health, social care, or education professional to order the maximum quantities on the website. If you need more copies than 500 to 1,000 please call 0300 123 1002 or email HealthPublicationsCST@theapsgroup.com.

Please familiarise yourself with the changes and prepare for local training and development and share this Vaccine Update with all the staff members who have a role in the programme. If you would like to unregister, share the link with a colleague or register yourself for Vaccine Update, please visit GovDelivery.

Green book on immunisation chapters

The Green book on Immunisation has undergone significant revisions in line with the changes set out above. Please use the online version at all times and if you do download a copy, make sure you refer to the online version and ensure you are using the latest advice and guidance.

The following chapters have been updated in line with the changes to the childhood schedule:

Updated schedules and algorithms

Patient Group Directions

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) immunisation patient group direction (PGD) templates have been developed and ratified in accordance with UKHSA PGD policy. They have been signed by a doctor, nurse and pharmacist, from UKHSA’s national immunisation team, who have been involved in the PGD’s development. These PGDs should be used with reference to the Green Book, and summary of product characteristics (SmPC) for each vaccine.

The following PGDs have been updated in line with the changes to the childhood schedule:

Childhood immunisation eligibility calculator

With thanks to Mark Frost and the SW Immunisation and screening team for support in the development of this tool. Download from Health Publications using product code: CIEC1EN

There is a calculator available as an MS excel file you can download and use to enter a child’s birthdate. When you enter the birthdate, the calculator will show which vaccines should be given and at what time. This calculator assumes vaccinations are administered in line with the routine UK childhood immunisation schedule. It is intended to support clinicians but does not replace clinical judgement or clinical decision making. If any vaccinations are missed, delayed or incomplete, do not use this calculator and instead refer to the UKHSA algorithm.

Updated resources for immunisers

Quality criteria for an effective immunisation programme

This publication defines the key elements for the implementation and delivery of a safe, equitable, high quality, effective and efficient immunisation service which is responsive to the needs of vaccine recipients and their parents or carers. It is intended for all those involved in the immunisation programme pathway, including commissioners, providers and advisers in England.

See the quality criteria for an effective immunisation programme or download your copy from HealthPublications: product code: 2025QC01.

National minimum standards and core curriculum for vaccination training

In order to ensure the ongoing delivery of a high quality, safe and effective immunisation programme that achieves high uptake, it is important that all practitioners involved in immunisation have a high level of knowledge and are confident in immunisation policy and procedures. To gain this, they need to receive comprehensive foundation training, regular updates, supervision and support. The aim of the national standards is to describe the training that should be given to all practitioners engaging in any aspect of immunisation so that they are able to confidently, competently and effectively promote and administer vaccinations.

This guidance was updated in June 2025 and replaces the previous training standards for registered healthcare practitioners and healthcare support workers in a single document that describes the training that should be provided for all healthcare staff with a role in delivering vaccination programmes.

See the national minimum standards and core curriculum for immunisation training for registered healthcare practitioners or download your copy from HealthPublications: product code: 2025NMS01.

Training and healthcare practitioner guidance

This updated guidance provides information for healthcare practitioners about the changes to the routine childhood schedule from 1 July 2025. It includes information about the changes, eligibility, scheduling and vaccine administration.

Changes to routine childhood immunisation programme 2025 and 2026 training slide set

Download your copy at from GOV.UK.

A collection of core slides for use by trainers for the delivery of training about the changes to the childhood vaccination programmes in 2025 and 2026.

The slides cover the following areas: - what changes are being made to the childhood immunisation schedule in 2025 and 2026 and why they are being made - how the changes to the schedule at 12 and 16 weeks should be delivered - which children are eligible for the new 18-month hexavalent vaccine appointment - when the second dose of MMR vaccine should be given - how the changes will affect children on the selective neonatal hepatitis B pathway - where to find further information about the changes

The PowerPoint version of the slide set ‘Changes to routine childhood immunisation programme in 2025 and 2026’ is available to download from khub.

New inserts for personal Child Health record or Red Book

Remind parents and carers to bring their Red book to every vaccination appointment. There are 6 new inserts for use in the personal Child Health Record (PCHR). Not all children will require the full set of 6 inserts.

How to order your set of Redbook inserts

Visit healthforallchildren.com where you can download a copy of the current version (4.6.1).

You can request and order the new inserts via the sales email address: sales@harlowsolutions.co.uk or telephone 0191 455 4286.

How to use the set of inserts

Page 18 (one of 6 inserts) – Schedule page

This is an updated page. Only give this page to babies born from 1 July 2024 and remove old version.

Page 20 (two of 6 inserts) – Primary course immunisations

This is an updated page for babies who haven’t yet received their 12 week immunisations – it must be given to those born from 6 May 2025. If the baby has already had their 8 week vaccines, keep the old page with date of vaccines given and add the new page.

Page 20a (3 of 6 inserts) – Hepatitis B infant immunisation programme for those at increased risk

This only applies for babies whose Red book contains this page. This is an updated page for babies born from 1 July 2024. Do not remove the existing page if it contains dates of doses already given.

Page 21 (4 of 6 inserts) – Immunisations at 12 months of age

This is an updated page for babies born from 1 July 2024. If child born from 1 July 2024, remove old page and replace with new one.

Page 21a (5 of 6 inserts) – Immunisations at 18 months

This is a brand new page for all babies born from 1 July 2024.

Page 22 (6 of 6 inserts) – Pre-school immunisations at 3 years 4 months

This is an updated page for babies born from 1 July 2024. Remove the existing page.

Reminder: If vaccines are already recorded on a page, even if the schedule has now changed for that child, keep that page in the Red book as a record of previous vaccines given.

Parent and carer leaflets for infant and childhood immunisations

All our core leaflets have now been revised and updated to include the childhood changes from 1 July 2025. Previous versions are still suitable for babies born before 1 July 2024. Please order stocks now of the new leaflets and a reminder that all our leaflets are printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper and recycled sustainable paper stock with vegetable dyes and can be composted in the normal way.

Why is the childhood vaccination programme changing flyer

From 1 July 2025 there will be changes to the routine schedule of vaccinations offered to children. This flyer explains these changes and why they have been made and should be given to all parents and carers of eligible children.

See the changes to the childhood vaccine programme and why they are happening or download and order from Health Publications: product code: CCW1EN

Revised and updated quick guide to childhood vaccinations for premature babies

A leaflet for parents which describes the immunisations offered to premature babies, which should be offered to all parents and carers of premature babies.

See the quick guide to childhood immunisations for the parents of premature babies or download and order from Health Publications: product code: PC25EN001

Revised and updated guide to immunisation up to 13 months of age.

For babies born on or after the 1 July 2024, should be given to all parents when their child is born or soon after.

The guide to immunisations up to 13 months has been updated to reflect changes to the childhood programme and updates to the routine immunisation schedule from July 2025.

See the guide to immunisations for babies up to 13 months of age or download and order from Health Publications product code: C25CC131EN

Revised and updated guide to immunisations at one year of age

This leaflet features the immunisation schedule from July 2025.

See the page on immunisations between 12 and 13 months of age or download and order from Health Publications: product code: PCQG12EN

Guide to vaccinations at 18 months featuring the schedule from July 2025

A new leaflet that explains that from 01 July 2025, all children born on or after 01 July 2024 will be offered their second dose of MMR in a new appointment at 18 months rather than at 3 years and 4 months.

To be given to parents with their invitation to attend their 18 month appointment for their child to be vaccinated

See the page on vaccinations for children aged 18 months or download and order from Health Publications: product code: C2518CC1EN

Is your child 18 months old? poster

This poster is suitable for all community, health, GP and nursery or pre-school settings. It should be displayed in areas that young families are likely to visit to raise awareness of the new immunisation appointment at 18 months. These posters can also have a role in high streets, places of worship, charity providers and foodbanks.

Download and order from Health Publications: product code: C25CC182EN

Using paracetamol to prevent and treat fever after MenB vaccination

This leaflet has been revised to reflect the change in timing of MenB doses to 8 and 12 weeks of age in line with the changes to the routine childhood immunisation programme from 1 July 2025. It contains information for healthcare professionals and parents on the increased risk of fever when the Men B vaccine is given alongside other immunisations at 8 and 12 weeks of age and the recommended use of prophylactic paracetamol.

See more information on the menb vaccine and paracetamol or download and order from Health Publications: product code: 3083756.

Pre-school vaccinations: guide to vaccinations from 2 to 5 years

This guide provides information on the routine vaccinations that are given to children before they start school to help protect them from serious childhood diseases. It describes these diseases and explains why young children need protection against them. It also answers some of the most common questions about pre-school vaccination.

See the guide to pre-school vaccinations from 2 to 5 years or download and order from Health Publications: product code: C251MPCEN.

Stickers for the immunisation programmes

A collection of stickers are available for use in the immunisation programmes, each design comes with 24 stickers per sheet. They can all be ordered for free from HealthPublications.

Vaccine supply

Routine vaccination programme

Change of vaccine brand for the pre-school booster diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis and polio (dTaP/IPV) vaccination

The vaccine brand used for the pre-school booster diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis and polio (dTaP/IPV) vaccination is changing from Boostrix-IPV® to REPEVAX®. The vaccines are clinically equivalent, and continue to be offered at 3 years 4 months of age, and to children up to 10 years of age who have not yet received it. Please continue to order and administer Boostrix-IPV® until ImmForm and local stockholdings deplete.

REPEVAX® vaccine is now available to order via ImmForm. High-level ordering controls are in place to reduce the risk of ordering errors only. These are not intended to restrict activity.

REPEVAX® vaccine ordered via ImmForm will be supplied as a single dose pack, containing one pre-filled syringe of vaccine and a patient information leaflet (PIL). The pack does not contain a needle for administration. Guidance on the choice of needle size can be found in chapter 4: Immunisation procedures of the Green Book. Needles should be obtained locally.

Please add REPEVAX® to your routine ImmForm order where possible, rather than creating additional orders.

To minimise wastage due to fridge failures, please order no more than 2 weeks’ worth of stock.

Details about the pre-school booster dTaP/IPV vaccination programme are published in chapter 24: Pertussis in the Green Book.

Further details about REPEVAX® vaccine can be found in the SmPC.

Contact helpdesk@immform.org.uk for ordering queries.

Vaccines for the 2025 to 2026 children’s flu programme supplied by UKHSA

Important information

The latest and most accurate information on the availability and allocation of vaccines for the children’s flu programme is available on the ImmForm news page.

At this time, all information remains subject to change. If you are a provider of the children’s flu programme please ensure you are checking ImmForm regularly.

All flu vaccines for the 2025/26 children’s flu programme will be available to order by general practice and the school age immunisation service in England via ImmForm. UKHSA does not supply any flu vaccines for patients aged 18 years and over. Please refer to guidance from your respective health departments for arrangements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Vaccines and availability

The 2 vaccines that will be available, preliminary indicative ordering dates and the groups that these vaccines should be ordered for are set out in the table below.

Vaccine Manufacturer Available to order for Anticipated order opening for all providers
Fluenz® (LAIV) AstraZeneca All children from 2 years of age to school year 11
Children in clinical risk groups aged 2 to <18 years[footnote 1] 		September
Cell Based Trivalent Influenza Vaccine (Surface Antigen, Inactivated) (TIVc) Seqirus Children in clinical risk groupds aged 6 months to <2 years
All other eligible[footnote 2] children aged 2 to <18 years for whom LAIV is unsuitable		 September

Children’s flu vaccine supply for programme delivery innovation

We are aware of increasing activity across England, in particular by PCN’s, to deliver the programme to 2 and 3-year-olds via innovative models (such as in a nursery setting). If you are planning any such activity, we advise that you contact childfluvaccine@ukhsa.gov.uk to discuss your plans. This will enable us to support with any additional supply requirements or any other supply related advice

Influenza vaccines for the 2025/26 season

Information on all influenza vaccines that will be marketed in the UK for the 2025/26 season are available on the flu vaccination page on GOV.UK.

The impact of changes to opening hours on routine vaccine deliveries

Please consider temporary changes to opening times when placing ImmForm orders. Orders should only be placed for days when your site is open and capable of receiving them. If you are aware of a scheduled site closure, please refrain from placing an order for that date. In case of a one-off closure, consider rescheduling your order for the week before or after. This approach will contribute to improved overall efficiencies and enhance delivery performance for the benefit of all customers.

It is not possible to accommodate one-off changes to delivery days. Customers should report long-term changes to the days and times when they can accept deliveries, such as routine training days and closures, by contacting Movianto UK Customer Care on MoviantoUK.NHSCC@movianto.com and 01234 587207. This should not be used to report short-term changes due to absence or holidays.

Depletion of Vaxelis® for DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccination

The ImmForm stockholding of Vaxelis® is expected to deplete during early summer 2025, after which time only Infanrix hexa® will be supplied. ImmForm customers may want to consider the forthcoming depletion of Vaxelis® when ordering DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccines, to allow for infants already started on a particular course. Vaxelis® and Infanrix hexa® vaccines are considered interchangeable, but where possible and if local stock allows, it is preferable that the same DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccine be used for all three doses of the primary course. However, vaccination should never be delayed because the vaccine used for previous doses is not known or unavailable.

Orders for Infanrix hexa® remain unrestricted. Customers in England and Wales may order up to 20 packs of Vaxelis® per ImmForm account per week. Customers in Scotland should refer to their local ordering restrictions. Providers should not order more than two weeks’ worth of stock to minimise wastage due to fridge failures. For assistance, please contact the ImmForm Helpdesk at helpdesk@immform.org.uk.

The European Union (EU) Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) will not apply in Northern Ireland from 1 January 2025

From 1 January 2025, the European Union (EU) Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) will no longer apply in Northern Ireland. The Windsor Framework agreement removes any EU FMD packaging, labelling and barcode requirements for medicines distributed in Northern Ireland.

From 1 January 2025, customers across the UK will no longer have access to the EU database to verify or decommission unique identifier (UI) codes and will be unable to scan FMD barcodes in at any stage of the supply chain.

From 1 January 2025, customers in Northern Ireland are not required, nor will they have the capability, to verify medicines using the European Medicines Verification System (EMVS SecurMed).

MMR vaccine ordering

M-M-RvaxPro vaccine should be ordered for all MMR vaccinations, unless a patient requires a porcine gelatine-free MMR vaccine. ImmForm customers in England and Wales may order M-M-RvaxPro vaccine without restriction.

In addition, ImmForm customers in England and Wales may order up to ten porcine gelatine-free Priorix vaccines per account per week.

ImmForm customers in Scotland should refer to their local ordering restrictions.

Both MMR vaccines may only be ordered for outbreak purposes when this is part of a national catch-up campaign

Non-routine vaccine supply

Hepatitis A vaccine

Adult

  • GSK: supply of Havrix Adult PFS singles and packs of 10 are currently available
  • Sanofi Pasteur: Avaxim PFS singles are currently available. Avaxim packs of 10 are currently out of stock but will return to stock w/c 23rd June 2025
  • MSD: VAQTA Adult is available

Paediatric

  • GSK: supply of Havrix Paediatric singles and packs of 10 are currently available
  • MSD: VAQTA Paediatric is available
  • Sanofi Pasteur: Avaxim Junior singles are currently available

Hepatitis B vaccine

Adult

  • GSK: Engerix B PFS singles and packs of 10 are currently available
  • GSK: supply of Fendrix is currently available
  • MSD: HBVAXPRO 10μg is available
  • MSD: HBVAXPRO 40μg is available
  • Valneva: PreHevbri is no longer marketed in the UK

Paediatric

  • GSK: supplies of Engerix B Paediatric singles are currently available
  • MSD: HBVAXPRO 5μg is available

Combined hepatitis A and B vaccine

  • GSK: Twinrix Adult singles and packs of 10 are available
  • GSK: Twinrix Paediatric is currently available
  • GSK: Ambirix is available

Combined hepatitis A and typhoid vaccine

  • Sanofi: Viatim is now a discontinued product and no longer available for sale

Typhoid vaccine

  • Bavarian Nordic: Vivotif is available
  • Sanofi: Typhim singles and packs of 10 are available

Rabies vaccine

  • Bavarian Nordic: Rabipur is currently available
  • Sanofi: Verorab is currently available

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV)

  • MSD: supply of Pneumovax 23 (PPV23) PFS is available

Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (PCV)

  • Pfizer: Prevenar 13 is currently available
  • Pfizer: Prevenar 20 is currently available
  • MSD: Vaxneuvance is currently available

Varicella zoster vaccine

  • GSK: VARILRIX is currently available
  • MSD: VARIVAX is available
  • MSD: ZOSTAVAX is a discontinued product

Diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis (inactivated) vaccine

  • Sanofi : Revaxis is available

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (acellular) and poliomyelitis (inactivated) vaccine

  • GSK: supply of Boostrix-IPV is currently available
  • Sanofi: Repevax is currently out of stock but will return to stock w/c 16th June 2025

MMR

  • MSD: MMR Vaxpro is currently available
  • GSK: Priorix is currently available

Meningitis ACWY vaccine

  • GSK: Menveo is currently available
  • Pfizer: Nimenrix is currently available
  • Sanofi: MenQuadfi is available

Yellow fever

  • Sanofi: Stamaril is available

Human papillomavirus vaccine

  • MSD: GARDASIL has been discontinued
  • MSD: Gardasil 9 is currently available
  • GSK: Cervarix has been discontinued

Cholera vaccine

  • Bavarian Nordic: Vaxchora is available
  • Valneva: Dukoral is available

Japanese encephalytis vaccine

  • Valneva: Ixiaro is available

Meningococcal group B vaccine

  • GSK: Bexsero is currently available

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib vaccine and poliomyelitis

  • GSK: Infanrix IPV+Hib is currently available

Hib + meningococcal group C combined vaccine

  • GSK: Menitorix is currently available

Live attenuated rotavirus vaccine

  • GSK: Rotarix is currently available

Herpes zoster vaccine

  • GSK: Shingrix is currently available

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis

  • Sanofi: Adacel is available to order without restrictions

Dengue tetravalent vaccine

  • Takeda: Qdenga is currently available

Respiratory syncytial virus vaccine

  • Pfizer: Abrysvo is currently available
  • GSK: Arevxy is currently available

  1. Unless LAIV clinically contraindicated or otherwise unsuitable ↩

  2. Children from 2 years of age to school year 11, and children in clinical risk groups aged 2 to <18 years ↩

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