Childhood vaccination schedule changes: equality impact assessment
The Scottish Government, in line with the rest of the UK, are implementing a number of changes to the routine childhood immunisation programme.
The Scope of the EQIA
Based on the information available it would appear that this change to the vaccine schedule will have a neutral or positive impact on equality considerations for children, people of working age, particularly women, people from minority ethnic backgrounds, socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and people who might follow some religions or belief systems.
Scotland has a robust and well established childhood vaccination programme. These changes are to make further positive improvements.
These childhood vaccines are offered to all children based on clinical need to protect themselves, their families and wider community. The changes to the programme and scheduling is to ensure that children are offered vaccines to protect against a wider range of illnesses.
The consideration was given at a UK level, using a four nations approach based on the following recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI):
The protected characteristics below have been considered.
Disability
Eligibility of this programme does not account for disability. Infants/ children with a disability remain eligible for MMRV and hexavalent vaccine. This is provided the vaccine is not contraindicated for the individual concerned.
Sex
The life circumstances families find themselves in can play a significant role in vaccine uptake. When parents are on maternity/shared parental leave, fewer appointments are missed as parents are more flexible timewise to bring their child to appointments. Mothers return to work sooner. Attending appointments can be challenging, particularly when needing to take time out of work, collect children from childcare, and when reliant on public transport, and this may impact those of lower socioeconomic status more, if they are unable to take time out of work due to financial reasons or cover transport costs. Link to report - Understanding and addressing declines in childhood immunisations
Race
Public Health Scotland (PHS) routinely publish ethnicity and SIMD data for the childhood vaccinations.
PHS produce a range of materials to support these groups – Here is the link to the PHS report - Childhood immunisation statistics Scotland - quarter ending 30 June 2025 - Childhood immunisation statistics Scotland - Publications - Public Health Scotland
Religion or Belief
Some religions or beliefs not accept vaccines which contain porcine (pork gelatine). Many faith groups have approved the use of vaccines that contain gelatine. However, it is an individual choice whether or not to receive any vaccine, including those that contain gelatine. A vaccine for children who not accept porcine is available as detailed in the link - Changes to the Scottish Childhood Vaccination Schedule from 1 January 2026 (phase 2) – introduction of a routine Varicella Zoster (Chickenpox) vaccine
Age
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has agreed that protection against MenC is no longer required in the 12 month age group due to the excellent population control provided by vaccination of adolescents. Sustaining coverage of MenACWY in adolescents is important to maintain indirect protection.
Follow this link to the JCVI statement - Changes to the childhood immunisation schedule: JCVI statement - GOV.UK
The JCVI has recommended that a varicella programme offering two doses of MMRV vaccine should be provided if this can be done cost-effectively, with a single dose universal catch up programme for children under the age of 6. Follow this link to the JCVI recommendation - Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
Anyone who has missed one or both doses of MMRV who is within the eligibility criteria when the changes come into effect in January 2026 will remain eligible for the rest of their lives.
Learning from Covid-19 shows that the loss of time at school impacted children and younger people from socio-economic backgrounds more. For information, please follow the link: Understanding and addressing declines in childhood immunisations
Analysis trends indicate a decline in uptake of MenACWY in adolescents (in S3) and if this continues it may negatively impact the direct protection this cohort offers to infants against invasive meningococcal C disease. Follow this link to teenage immunisation statistics - Teenage Td/IPV and MenACWY Immunisation Statistics Scotland - School year 2024/25 - Teenage Td/IPV …
Sexual Orientation
Eligibility of this programme does not account for sexual orientation, and is offered irrespective of this protected characteristic, provided the vaccine is not contraindicated for the individual concerned.
Gender Reassignment
Eligibility of this programme does not account for gender reassignment, and is offered irrespective of this protected characteristic, provided the vaccine is not contraindicated for the individual concerned.
Marriage and Civil partnership
Eligibility of this programme does not account for marriage and civil partnership, and is offered irrespective of this protected characteristic, provided the vaccine is not contraindicated for the individual concerned.
Pregnancy and Maternity
Eligibility of this programme does not account for pregnancy and maternity, and is offered irrespective of this protected characteristic, provided the vaccine is not contraindicated for the individual concerned.
Contact
Email: immunisationpolicy@gov.scot