18
Accepted
Reinstate 95% vaccination coverage target in NHS guidance for all vaccinations.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government immediately reinstate the 95% vaccination coverage target in NHS planning guidance for all vaccinations, including those given during the first 1000 days to mothers and children. We also call on the Government to commit to hitting this target no later than the end of this Parliament. (Recommendation, Paragraph 88)
Government Response Summary
The government states that the 95% vaccination coverage target remains an established NHS target for a variety of childhood vaccinations, as included in the 2025-2026 public health functions agreement and planning guidance. It does not explicitly commit to hitting the target by the end of Parliament.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
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