January 2026- Happy New Year!

As of 1 January 2026 all children are now offered a combined MMRV vaccine instead of MMR as part of the childhood routine 2 dose vaccination schedule

The single dose selective MMRV catch-up programme for older children (DOB 1/1/20- 31/8/2022) will be delivered from 1 November 2026

Guidance for healthcare practitioners implementing the programme is available here

 The MMRV eligibility tables have been created to help vaccinators determine which vaccine should be offered.

Table 1 should be followed for a child who presents for vaccination at the correct scheduled time.

Table 2 should be followed for a child who is behind with their schedule. To use the table, first consider the age of the child presenting for vaccination, then their MMR-containing vaccination status, and then follow the advice within the age category for their date of birth. 

Many potential questions that may arise in practice will be answered by information in  “MMRV vaccination programme for children Information for healthcare practitioners” 

Links to a range of resources and guidance for HCPs are on our Vaccine programme resources page

UKHSA webinar: upcoming changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule took place on 3.12.25, the webinar recording is now available on YouTube  alongside the slides

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Pneumococcal Vaccine update

The UKHSA and NHSE letter setting out the upcoming change of vaccine for the routine pneumococcal vaccination programme for adults and individuals at increased clinical risk, was on published 16/12/25: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/change-of-vaccine-for-the-routine-adult-pneumococcal-vaccination-programme-and-individuals-at-increased-clinical-risk  

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East of England Training Resources

Training slides/certificates and recordings can all be accessed now using NHS Futures. You will need to sign up for an account and can then request access to the regional page.

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Public health resources

https://find-public-health-resources.service.gov.uk/

Public-facing immunisation resources, including posters and leaflets are available to order from this site, if you create an account you will be able to order more than 5 copies once signed in