Implementing changes to childhood vaccination schedules
Guidance and resources to support the implementation of changes to routine childhood and selective neonatal Hep B vaccination schedules from 1 July 2025.
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The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)
The changes identified in WHC/2025/019 are based on advice published by JCVI which can be found using the following links:
- JCVI's final recommendations on changes to the childhood immunisation schedule
- JCVI's advice on changes to the selective Hep B programme
- JCVI's advice on changes to the dose schedule of Pneumococcal and Meningococcal B as part of the childhood vaccination schedule
Funding arrangements
Routine NHS-funded childhood vaccinations are delivered as unified services under the General Medical Services Contract. The additional hexavalent dose given at the new 18-month appointment will attract a new item of service fee. Following consultation with GPC (General Practitioners Committee) Wales, the changes to the routine childhood programme described in this letter, will be reflected and outlined in the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements Directions.
Information about funding to support these changes will be sent to health board finance directors, advising them of the impact.
Digital support
The Children and Young Persons Integrated System (known as CYPrIS) is currently being updated for the various changes to ensure the correct cohorts are invited when appropriate. At the time of writing the dose timing change for PCV/MenB as identified as change 2 will not be fully supported digitally before the change on the 1 July. Further information on the interim system for recording and date the CYPrIS change will be updated will follow.
Vaccine coverage data collection
We are committed to data-driven delivery of childhood vaccinations, and service improvement to continuously improve our offer to disadvantaged groups and communities with lower uptake. Data on immunisations given as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule will continue to be collected and reported by Public Health Wales Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme (VPDP) in line with current national COVER report scheme (using data from the child health system). Enhanced reporting will be in place to ensure coverage is equitable in those children affected by the childhood schedule changes.
Vaccine supply
The vaccines for the universal programmes will be available to order in the usual way online via the ImmForm website. Providers should ensure that local stocks of vaccine are rotated in fridges so that wastage is minimised. It is recommended that practices hold no more than two weeks’ worth of stock.
Monovalent HepB vaccine is not supplied centrally by UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) and NHS Wales health boards should continue to use local supply arrangements.
Patient Group Directions (PGDs)
Updated information on PGD templates will be produced by Welsh Medicines Advice Service and published on the Welsh Medicine's Advice Service's webpage for Patient Group Directions (PGD).
Immunisation against infectious disease (the Green Book)
Public Health Wales' website has updated the routine immunisation schedule, which outlines eligibility for each vaccine at each age.
The following Green Book chapters will be updated and published on GOV.UK ahead of the programme changes taking effect:
For the hexavalent (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB) vaccine:
- Diphtheria: Chapter 15
- Tetanus: Chapter 30
- Pertussis: Chapter 24
- Polio: Chapter 26
- Hib: Chapter 16
- Hepatitis B: Chapter 18
In addition, the following chapters will also be updated to align with the changes:
- Measles: Chapter 21
- Mumps: Chapter 23
- Rubella: Chapter 28
- Meningococcal: Chapter 22
- Pneumococcal: Chapter 25
- UK Immunisation schedule: Chapter 11
Training and information resources for healthcare practitioners
Patient facing resources
Patient facing information resources will be made available on the Public Health Wales website Immunisation and Vaccines - Public Health Wales.
Consent
Guidance on informed consent can be found in chapter 2 of the Green Book available on gov.uk.
Reporting suspected adverse reactions
Healthcare professionals and those vaccinated are asked to report suspected adverse reactions through the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's online Yellow Card scheme by downloading the Yellow Card app or by calling the Yellow Card scheme on 0800 731 6789 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.