Changes to the Childhood Vaccination Schedule – Equality Impact Assessment

Key Findings

Eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation

Age

There is potential negative impact, however while some children may not be able to receive the updated vaccine due to being over seven years old, this is balanced by the likelihood that the vaccine would be less effective for them.

Disability

The policy applies regardless of disability, unless for clinical reasons.

Sex

The policy applies regardless of sex.

Pregnancy and maternity

The policy does not apply in pregnancy and maternity.

Gender reassignment

The policy does not apply to Gender reassignment.

Sexual orientation

The policy does not apply to sexual orientation

Race

The policy applies regardless of race.

Religion or belief

The policy applies regardless of religion or belief.

Marriage and civil partnership

Not applicable as this is a programme aimed at children.

Advancing equality of opportunity

Age

The policy has a positive impact as it is aimed at children and should enable children to lose fewer days at school, improving their educational chances, particularly for children in poorer households who are impacted more for being ill. Parents and carers also benefit due to reduced time lost to caring for a child who is ill. This is particularly important for parents and carers on lower incomes or more insecure jobs where taking time off work may impact their income.

Disability

The policy applies regardless of disability, unless for a clinical reason. If more illnesses can be prevented through vaccines, disabled people who are clinically unable to receive the vaccine may find that the community immunity allows them to take part more safely in civic life and be less likely to be hospitalised thus providing a positive impact.

Sex

In respect of sex, the impact is positive. Women who are parents are less likely to have to take time off of work to care for children who would otherwise experience the illnesses that the vaccines prevent or lessen.

Pregnancy and Maternity

The policy does not apply in pregnancy and maternity.

Gender reassignment

The policy does not apply to Gender reassignment

Sexual orientation

The policy does not apply to sexual orientation

Race

The impact on race is neutral. PHS Health Statistics data publications indicate that vaccination uptake rates vary between ethnic groups. There is scope to support this new vaccination programme and the changes to all groups to address this.

Religion or belief

Evidence has shown that certain religions can be vaccine hesitant. There is scope to promote the new vaccine and changes to all groups and try and address this.

The MMR and MMRV vaccine contain porcine (pork gelatine) which some religions and beliefs do not accept. However, UKHSA have confirmed that a porcine free vaccine will also be available for these groups and is therefore a positive impact.

Marriage and civil partnership

Not applicable as this is a programme aimed at children.

Promoting good relations among and between different age groups

Age

This promotes a positive impact. Through vaccination, spread of the virus should be reduced in the population. It will also enable children to spend more time together if they are not experiencing illness.

Promoting good relations among and between disabled and non-disabled people

Disability

It will enable disabled children who cannot be vaccinated to mix more safely with children who have been vaccinated, increasing their social interactions with a positive outcome.

Promoting good relations between men and women

Sex

The policy applies regardless of sex.

Promoting good relations

Pregnancy and maternity

The policy does not apply in pregnancy and maternity.

Gender reassignment

The policy does not apply to Gender reassignment.

Sexual orientation

The policy does not apply to sexual orientation

Religion or belief

With the option of porcine free vaccines, no group with a religious belief that would stop them getting the vaccine due to the porcine, will feel left out of the updated vaccine programme. This will promote good relations between these belief groups and people who do not hold these beliefs.

Marriage and civil partnership

Not applicable as this is a programme aimed at children.

Promoting good race relations

Race

The policy applies regardless of race