Childhood Immunisation Schedule
This page contains learning on forthcoming changes to the routine childhood vaccination schedule and the selective neonatal hepatitis B programme occurring in July 2025 and January 2026. This includes the introduction of a new routine vaccination appointment at 18 months of age
Phase 1: Routine childhood immunisation schedule and the selective neonatal hepatitis B (HepB)
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have recommended important updates to both the routine childhood immunisation schedule and the selective hepatitis B (HepB) programme. These changes will be implemented from 1 July 2025 and 1 January 2026.
In response, on 6 May 2025, a letter from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) detailed the changes which will come into effect in Scotland.
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Routine childhood vaccination schedule and the selective neonatal Hepatitis B vaccination programme Changes -2025 Download (272 KB)
Read Only PowerPoint slides July 2025 changes
Phase 2: Routine Childhood Immunisation Schedule Changes January 2026
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends a universal varicella (chickenpox) vaccination programme should be introduced as part of the routine childhood schedule. This should be a 2-dose programme offering vaccination at 12 and 18 months of age using the combined MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccine.
The CMO letter published 4th November details these changes.
The table below sets out scheduling of the introduction of this change date of birth for children.
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Table of Childhood Immunisation Schedule December 2025
This short update has been developed by NES/PHS to further help support healthcare practitioners with the changes to the childhood immunisation schedule in January 2026, this resource details the background to the changes and the safety and efficacy of the MMRV vaccine.
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Read only PowerPoint slide to support healthcare practitioners with the changes to the childhood immunisation schedule in January 2026
Webinar: National Childhood Immunisation Schedule Changes - 4th December 2025
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Read Only Slide set Webinar Childhood Schedule Change 2026 041225
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The aim of the webinar is to help support healthcare practitioners to understand and confidently discuss phase 2 changes to the national childhood immunisation schedule in January 2026.
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Transcript for Transcript NES PHS Webinar National Childhood Immunisation Schedule Changes 4th December 2025