Vaccination rates among UK infants have declined once again, according to the latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). In the year up to March 2026, the proportion of one-year-olds receiving the six-in-one vaccine—which protects against diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, and other diseases—dropped by 0.9 percentage points to 90.8 percent. This decline extends to other childhood vaccines, including those for rotavirus, pneumonia, meningitis, and meningitis B.

Additionally, the uptake of the first dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine decreased by 1 percentage point, reaching 88.3 percent. These figures fall short of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended 95 percent vaccination coverage necessary to achieve herd immunity, which helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases within communities.

Dr. Mary Ramsay, director of immunisation at UKHSA, emphasized the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates. She noted that many people today do not recall the severity of childhood diseases such as measles and diphtheria before vaccines were widely available. Dr. Ramsay urged parents to consult their general practitioners to ensure their children’s immunisations are up to date, stressing that it is "never too late to catch up."

The recent declines in vaccine coverage have raised concerns about the potential resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, which could pose heightened risks, especially to vulnerable populations and young children. Public health officials continue to promote routine immunisation as a critical tool in safeguarding health and preventing outbreaks.