If you’re a practice nurse, healthcare support worker, pharmacist or anyone who works in immunisation, and you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the ever-evolving UK vaccine schedule changes… let’s just start with this: you’re absolutely not alone.
Keeping up is proving tough for all of us. New vaccines. Revised eligibility. Tweaked timings. Shifting advice depending on age, risk group, vaccine product, availability….or lack of it. Add in overnight Green Book updates and it’s no wonder many of us feel like we’re always a step behind.
But let’s try to reframe it: these changes are all a sign of progress. Real, evidence-based, public-health-progress-in-action kind of progress. We’re witnessing (and are part of) a period of rapid advancement in vaccine science and public health policy, and that’s something to be proud of. New vaccines are protecting more people than ever. Schedules are being refined to improve outcomes. And even if it feels relentless at times, it’s also worth celebrating.
So. Many. Changes.
The pace of change in the last year alone has been like nothing we’ve seen before. Every month seems to add something new to learn, implement, or explain, often all three at once. When you’re running busy clinics, juggling specialisms, and doing your best to give clear answers to real patients in real time, it’s no wonder your brain feels like it’s hit capacity or you feel like you’re having an adverse reaction to your email inbox.
So let’s take a moment to acknowledge, and genuinely appreciate, the sheer volume of changes we’ve all navigated (successfully) together in just the past few years:
- RSV vaccines introduced for older adults and for pregnant women to offer passive immunity in infancy.
- Updated shingles guidance, including a younger eligibility age (phased rollout from 70 to 65 to 60), the discontinuation of Zostavax, and a shift to the two-dose Shingrix.
- HPV vaccination moving to a one-dose schedule, simplifying delivery but requiring clear messaging to patients and parents.
- The recommended pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination in pregnancy changed from Boostrix-IPV to Adacel.
- COVID-19 vaccination transitioning from emergency response to seasonal campaigns, with evolving eligibility, new mRNA vaccines, product switches, and different boosters for different age/risk groups.
- Flu programme changes, including changing risk groups, product preferences by group, and the ever-present challenge of manufacturer availability and delivery.
- The Mpox (monkeypox) vaccine programme, launched at pace to protect high-risk groups amid an unexpected outbreak.
- New hepatitis B vaccine products introduced and then withdrawn not longer after, adding another layer of complexity to an already nuanced schedule.
- Polio booster campaigns following local detections in wastewater, a timely reminder of the importance of sustained immunity.
- MMR catch-up programmes, rolled out in response to rising case numbers and regional outbreaks, highlighting the need for ongoing community protection.
- New vaccines in travel health for cholera, dengue, and most recently chikungunya, became available, all live vaccines, each with complex eligibility and considerations for clients, adding another layer of logistical challenge to already busy clinics.
- Recent infant schedule changes, July 2025 saw MenB move to 12 weeks, PCV13 shift to 16 weeks, the selective Hep B dose at 1 year was removed and goodbye Hib/MenC (except if your born before a certain date and whilst stocks last)….(it might feel like yet another change, but this one’s a real positive. The success of the adolescent MenACWY programme means far less need for MenC protection in infancy. A genuine public health win!).
- Falling vaccine uptake levels in some groups, and the huge effort required to promote vaccination, especially among hard-to-reach or hesitant communities, where where trust-building is just as vital as timing.
- And of course, the quiet-but-crucial Green Book updates, which often slip in without major announcements (…top tip: sign up to receive email updates!).
Coming Soon to a Clinic Near You
The changes aren’t slowing down either. Here’s just a taste of what’s ahead:
- August 2025: Launch of the gonorrhoea and mpox vaccine programme for selective high-risk groups.
- September 2025: Shingles vaccine eligibility expands to include those who are severely immunosuppressed aged 18+.
- January 2026: A brand-new 18-month appointment is added to the childhood schedule, incorporating an extra hexavalent dose and bringing the second MMR forward.
Plus Potential Future Changes Like….
- A combined MMR-V (MMR + varicella) vaccine, under review for inclusion from January 2026, although at the moment, it’s “watch this space” guidance.
- An expanded RSV programme for adults aged 80+, especially in care homes, though we await further details on the rollout.
- PCV20 vaccine is expected to replace PPV23 for adults aged 65 and over, as well as in the at-risk programme, from late 2025 or early 2026. Look out for further guidance as planning and implementation approach.
And in the pipeline:
- Combined flu + COVID vaccines.
- New vaccines for emerging threats like Nipah, Marburg, Lassa, and Crimean-Congo.
- Work on universal flu and next-gen mRNA/DNA vaccines that could revolutionise response times.
- And more….
Why We Should Celebrate
Every update, trial, and tweak is part of a larger story: protecting more people, more effectively. It’s a lot, yes. It’s fast. Sometimes frustrating. But it’s also meaningful. These aren’t just abstract policy shifts, they’re real progress, with real impact. And it’s you who turns that progress into protection.
You’re Not Alone
We’ve heard from so many nurses who say they feel behind, unsure, or anxious that they’re not doing things “right.” We all want to do the best for our patients, and when the goalposts keep moving, it’s natural to feel like we’re falling short.
But here’s the truth: if you care enough to worry, you’re already doing a brilliant job.
Still, we all need ways to cope….and to keep our knowledge sharp without burning out.
Staying Up to Date (Without Losing Your Sanity)
Let’s be honest: tracking all of this can feel like a full-time job on top of your actual full-time job. Try these small, manageable habits:
1. Find Your Vaccine Tribe: Connect with peers through WhatsApp groups, online forums, or local networks. A problem shared is a problem halved.
2. The 15-Minute Rule: Carve out just 15 minutes a week to scan official sources. Make a cup of tea, call it “protected learning time,” and check for updates from the Green Book, UKHSA’s Vaccine Update, and your local immunisation team.
3. Create a Culture of Curiosity: No one can memorise everything. Make it normal to ask questions in team huddles and support each other’s learning. A “vaccine champion” in the team can streamline this process.
4. Make it Visual: Stick updated schedules and eligibility charts inside cupboard doors or by the vaccine fridge. Constant, passive exposure helps make information stick.
5. Link it to a Patient: Abstract guidance is hard to remember. When a new situation arises with a patient, use it as a real-time trigger to look up the latest advice. Context makes everything clearer.
6. Bookmark Your Core Resources: Green Book chapters, ImmForm, UKHSA bulletins, and your local SOPs, PGDs, keep them saved and easily accessible. Subscribe for alerts and updates.
7. Keep a Mini Learning Log: Jot down things you learn or changes you come across each week in a small notebook or digital note. It’s low effort, and it builds into a helpful resource to reflect on or share with new staff.
8. Teach to Learn: If you’ve recently wrapped your head around a change, share it! Explaining something to someone else helps reinforce your own understanding, and strengthens the whole team.
9. Explore Additional Resources: One of our amazing trainers, Alys, has created a brilliant website to help immunisation and travel health professionals stay up to date: Alys’s Classroom…bookmark it, use it, share it!
10. Prioritise Training Opportunities: Annual updates and refresher sessions are goldmines of shared learning. They’re a chance not just to learn but to ask questions, share confusion, and hear what others are doing.
Why It’s Worth the Effort
When you’re swamped, it’s easy to think: “I’ll catch up later”. Yet, even small updates can have a big impact:
- Catching someone eligible who might’ve slipped through
- Giving the right product, at the right time
- Avoiding missed opportunities
Vaccines are one of the most powerful public health tools we have. Every vaccination done right means one more person protected, and you are the reason that happens.
A Final Thought
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the pace of change, you’re not failing. You’re human.
Keeping up is tough, even for those who train others. But by carving out a little time, supporting each other, and staying grounded in the “why,” we can manage this.
You don’t have to know everything. And you don’t have to do it alone. This work is hard, yes, but it matters. Every time you double-check the guidance, ask a question, or update your practice, you’re making a difference.
So the next time you feel overwhelmed, remember: we’re all in this together. Your efforts genuinely matter. And the lives you help protect? They’re the quiet proof it’s all worth it.
Immunisation Training at Health Academy….Why Training Matters More Than Ever
With all these changes, high quality training isn’t just “nice to have”, it’s essential. In June 2025, a new version of the National Minimum Standards and Core Curriculum for Vaccination Training was published. One of the biggest updates? It merged the guidance for Registered Healthcare Practitioners and Healthcare Support Workers into a single, unified framework. This move acknowledges the vital roles both groups play in immunisation delivery and aims to ensure consistency, clarity, and quality in training across all levels of practice. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to check the updated standards and consider how they affect your role, your team, and your ongoing training needs.
At Health Academy, we offer a wide range of Immunisation Training options, from virtual Zoom sessions and self-paced e-learning, to face-to-face workshops tailored to your team’s needs. Whether you’re new to immunisation or just trying to keep up with the latest changes, we’re here to help.
Visit our Immunisation course page and get in touch today to see how we can support you and your team in staying confident, current, and compliant.
