Families facing barriers to healthcare access in England will soon have an option for at-home childhood vaccinations. A new £2 million government pilot scheme will see health visitors – specialist public health nurses supporting families with children under five – administer vaccines during routine visits.
Expanding Vaccine Access
The program is designed to reach families who have “fallen through the cracks,” according to a government statement. This includes those not registered with a General Practitioner (GP), those struggling with travel costs or childcare, and families facing language barriers or other difficult circumstances that prevent them from accessing traditional healthcare settings.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the importance of reaching these families, stating, “Every parent deserves the chance to protect their child from preventable diseases, but some families have a lot going on and that can mean they miss out.” He added that utilizing the existing relationships health visitors have with families will help boost vaccination rates and build a more equitable health service.
Addressing Declining Immunization Rates
The pilot comes as concerning data reveals a decline in childhood vaccination rates across England. Figures released in August 2025 showed that in 2024, not a single childhood vaccine met the World Health Organisation’s recommended 95% target for herd immunity. This leaves a significant portion of the population vulnerable to preventable diseases.
Specifically, only 91.9% of five-year-olds had received one dose of the MMR vaccine, the lowest level since 2010/11. Both doses of the MMR vaccine were administered to just 83.7% of five-year-olds, a record low since 2009/10. Uptake of other key vaccines, including those for Hib/MenC and the four-in-one pre-school booster, have also decreased.
Alongside the pilot scheme, the government announced that, beginning January 2, all children will receive the new MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. This replaces the current MMR vaccine.
What Happens Next?
The year-long pilot program will be carefully evaluated to determine its effectiveness. If successful, a nationwide rollout of the at-home vaccination scheme could begin as early as 2027. It is also possible that the government will explore additional strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and improve access for underserved communities. Further declines in vaccination rates could lead to increased outbreaks of preventable diseases, placing additional strain on the National Health Service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this new pilot scheme?
The scheme aims to improve childhood vaccination rates by bringing vaccines directly to families who face barriers to accessing traditional healthcare services, such as those not registered with a GP or struggling with travel costs.
Will this scheme replace vaccinations at GP surgeries?
No, the scheme is not designed to replace GP vaccinations. Families are still encouraged to get their children vaccinated at their local surgery.
What vaccines will be offered through this scheme?
Health visitors will administer routine childhood vaccinations during their regular visits, and from January 2, the new MMRV vaccine protecting against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox will be included.
How can increased access to vaccinations impact public health outcomes in the long term?
