Annual COVER data for 2025 to March 2026, published on 27 August 2026 by the UK Health Security Agency, show signs that uptake of key vaccines by age five — before children start primary school — is stabilising in England after a decade of slow decline across all vaccines. The agency said this partly reflects NHS catch-up activity. However, it warned that current rates remain well below the World Health Organization's 95% target, and uptake measured at ages one and two decreased again for all vaccines.

At age five, two doses of MMR stood at 83.8% in 2025-26, against 83.7% in 2024-25 and 83.9% in 2023-24. The 6-in-1 vaccine was 92.9%, 92.8% and 92.6% in those years. The lowest rate remained the 4-in-1 pre-school booster, which rose from 81.3% to 81.9%, a 0.6% increase that the agency said was too early to call a trend. Coverage was lowest for all indicators in London.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Immunisation at UKHSA, said signs of stabilisation were encouraging but that all children should be fully protected at the right time. Parents should check their children's vaccines are up to date and contact a GP practice if not, she said, adding that it is never too late to catch up with most childhood vaccines.