GP Contract Updates for Vaccination Efforts
Changes to the GP contract for 2026/27 are planned to enhance vaccination delivery across the country, particularly in areas with lower uptake rates. The current system primarily rewards practices that achieve high vaccination targets, often excluding those in communities with lower rates that are making progress.
The updated contract aims to provide improvement incentives to recognize practices that demonstrate progress, allowing them to reinvest resources into outreach and follow-up with families of unvaccinated children.
This initiative comes as the UK has lost its World Health Organization (WHO) measles elimination status, with over 2,900 measles cases confirmed in England in 2024.
Childhood vaccination rates are currently below the 95% WHO target necessary to prevent measles outbreaks, highlighting the urgency of these new measures.
Official Statements
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, emphasized the safety and life-saving nature of vaccinations. He noted that the return of preventable diseases, leading to child hospitalizations, can be addressed through investment and modernization in general practice.
He stated that the improvement payments would equip GPs with the necessary resources to protect children who are currently unvaccinated and to reduce health inequalities.
Expanded Vaccination Program
The updated contract will align GP vaccination incentives with the latest national vaccine schedule. As of January 1, the NHS vaccination program expanded to include chickenpox (varicella) for young children.
GP practices now offer a combined MMRV vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age, providing protection against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. GP quality indicators will be updated to reflect the delivery of this combined vaccine, simplifying processes for practices.
Other Key Contract Adjustments
Beyond childhood vaccinations, Primary Care Networks will be required to identify care home residents with overdue routine vaccinations. The contract will also offer increased flexibility for practices in collaborating on flu and COVID-19 vaccine delivery.
Additionally, the RSV vaccination program will extend from April to include all adults aged 80 and over, and all residents in care homes for older adults, with GP practices required to offer this as an essential service.
A new £2 million pilot program will also support health visitors in reaching families who face barriers to vaccination.