Childhood vaccination schedule changes: equality impact assessment

Executive summary

The Scottish Government, in line with the rest of the UK, are implementing a number of changes to the routine childhood immunisation programme as a result of the discontinuation of the manufacture of Menitorix (Hib/MenC) vaccine. These changes have been recommended the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who have advised that implementing these changes to the national childhood immunisation schedule will optimise the overall protection of children in the UK.

Whilst MenC in early childhood is no longer considered necessary, vaccination against Hib in the second year of life needs to continue. The JCVI have recommended that an additional dose of a Hib-containing vaccine (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccine) should be administered at a new vaccination appointment at age 18 months.

This new 18-month appointment also provides an opportunity for the second dose of MMR vaccine to be moved from 3 years 4 months to 18 months of age from 1 July 2025 Menitorix® will no longer be offered at 12 months and from 1 January 2026, an additional dose of DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccine will be offered at a new 18-month appointment.

Additionally, from 1 July 2025, the order of vaccines in the infant schedule will change: MenB vaccine will be given at 8 and 12 weeks and PCV13 will be given at 16 weeks.

Furthermore, in November 2023, the JCVI recommended a universal varicella (chickenpox) vaccination programme that should be introduced as part of the routine childhood schedule [follow this link - JCVI statement on a childhood varicella (chickenpox) vaccination programme - GOV.UK for the JCVI recommendation]. 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.