Uptake rates for every routine vaccine provided to protect babies from severe illnesses have dropped once again, latest official data reveals.
Although health officials noted that uptake appears to be "stabilising" among children entering primary school, they cautioned that there remains a "long way to go before all children are fully protected".
The figures demonstrate that UK immunisation coverage continues to fall short of the 95% target set by the World Health Organisation to ensure herd immunity.
NHS vaccines are administered free of charge starting at eight weeks old, with further vaccinations and boosters scheduled at 12 weeks, 16 weeks, one year, and 18 months.
A further pre-school booster is provided at three years and four months, while flu jabs are made available to toddlers and school-age children.
According to data released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), UK coverage for the six-in-one vaccine—protecting against diphtheria, whooping cough, and polio—among one-year-olds fell 0.9 percentage points to 90.8% in the year to March 2026.
Rotavirus immunisation also dipped 0.4 percentage points to 88.7%, whereas PCV1, which guards against serious illnesses including pneumonia and meningitis, fell 1.0 percentage points to 92.4%.
Uptake for the meningitis B jab dropped by 0.5 percentage points to 90.8%.
Among two-year-olds, coverage for the menB booster declined 0.5 percentage points to 87.4%, while the PCV booster dropped 0.6 percentage points to 88.0%.
The six-in-one jab uptake decreased by 0.2 percentage points to 92.6%, and the initial dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine declined by 1.0% to 88.3%.
Dr Mary Ramsay, director of immunisation at UKHSA, said: "We have now largely forgotten how many young lives were lost to diseases like measles and diphtheria before we had these vaccines.
"No child today in this country should have to suffer a disease that is so easily preventable.
"Parents should check their children are up to date with all their vaccines and, if not, contact your GP practice as soon as possible. It’s never too late to catch up with most childhood vaccines."
The figures also indicate that vaccination uptake among children starting primary school has stayed consistent over the last three years.
At age five, 83.8% of children had received two doses of the MMR vaccine, compared with 83.7% in the previous 12-month period.
Furthermore, 92.9% of pupils entering reception were given the six-in-one jab, compared to 92.8% in 2024/25.
The report highlighted that coverage in England varies by region, with lower adoption seen in London and more deprived areas.
Dr Ramsay said: "It is encouraging that we are seeing some signs of the childhood vaccination programme stabilising, but we have a long way to go before all children are fully protected at the right time when they are most vulnerable to a number of serious diseases.
"Parents want to do what is best for their children and most do have trust in NHS childhood vaccines, which prevent tens of thousands ending up in hospital every year."
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