17
Rejected
Government dropping 95% vaccination target from NHS guidance causes concern.
Conclusion
We are disappointed that the Government has dropped the 95% vaccination coverage target from NHS planning guidance and were unconvinced by the Minister’s arguments that it remained an “expectation” despite its removal. While we agree with the Government’s desire for the NHS to have a smaller number of priorities, we believe that vaccination coverage must absolutely be one of those priorities. (Conclusion, Paragraph 87)
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the committee's premise by asserting that the 95% vaccination coverage target has not been dropped but remains an established NHS target, as evidenced in the NHS public health functions agreement 2025-26 and is included in planning guidance.
Government Response
Rejected
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The 95% optimal performance standard for a variety of childhood vaccinations remains an established NHS target, as set out in the published NHS public health functions agreement 2025 to 2026, the agreement that sets out national vaccination and screening objectives. It reiterates World Health Organization coverage targets for childhood and pregnancy vaccinations. The 2025 to 2026 planning guidance supports the shift towards prevention, stating: ‘It remains critical that ICSs explicitly agree local ambitions and delivery plans for vaccination and screening services.’ The NHS Oversight Framework 2025 to 2026, which sets out the approach to assessing integrated care boards (ICBs) and NHS trusts and foundation trusts through a suite of metrics, also includes the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine uptake rate as a non-scoring contextual metric, which gives an indication of NHS bodies’ effectiveness.
Source
Committee
Health and Social Care Committee
Report
5th Report - First 1000 days: a renewed focus
22 Jan 2026
HC 802
Addressee Bodies
Department of Health and Social Care
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.5 yr
Report published
22 Jan 2026