You want your child to grow, learn and play without constant worry about serious illness. Yet diseases like measles can spread fast among unvaccinated children, as recent outbreaks show. That is stressful for families and for early years settings too.
The good news is simple. Vaccines are free on the NHS, highly effective, and now even easier to access. With a new national campaign launching, you can check your child’s vaccines, book a quick appointment and help keep your community safe. A few minutes now can save a lot of sleepless nights later.
Key Takeaways
- A new UK campaign, Stay Strong, Get Vaccinated, launched on 16 February 2026 to boost childhood immunisation.
- Childhood vaccines prevent around 5,000 deaths and 228,000 hospital admissions every year in England.
- The UK lost its WHO measles elimination status after more than 2,900 measles cases in 2024, so action is urgent.
- MMRV now adds free chickenpox protection to the NHS childhood programme, with the second dose offered at 18 months.
- Measles, whooping cough, meningitis, polio and diphtheria remain real risks for unvaccinated children.
- Parents can check the Red Book, contact their GP and use catch-up clinics if anything is missing.
- Early years practitioners can support families with reminders, trusted information and outbreak-readiness.
- It is never too late to catch up, and appointments are quick, kind and free.
Why Parents Urged To Protect Children Through Vaccination Right Now
On 16 February 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, UK Health Security Agency and Health Innovation and Safety Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed MP launched a national drive to raise uptake of routine childhood vaccines.
The aim is clear: help parents get trusted information, make access easy and close immunity gaps in every community.
Measles has been spreading in parts of north London and beyond. England recorded over 2,900 measles cases in 2024, the highest in decades.
Uptake is below the 95 percent WHO target needed to prevent outbreaks. When coverage dips, diseases take the opportunity.
Vaccines are a quiet hero. UKHSA estimates routine childhood immunisation prevents about 5,000 deaths and more than 228,000 hospital admissions every year in England. That is thousands of hospital beds freed, and thousands of families spared heartbreak.
What Is Launching Today?
The Stay Strong, Get Vaccinated campaign focuses on parents of children aged 0 to 5. You will see a new 30-second TV and video-on-demand advert, online video and social content, and digital display.
There are also partnerships with gaming platforms and parenting forums, including Netmums and Mumsnet. The message is friendly, simple and clear: book, attend, protect.
How This Helps Your Family
The campaign removes hassle. It points you to reliable, plain language advice and directs you to appointments that fit your schedule.
It also highlights what is new, including chickenpox protection within the combined MMRV vaccine, so your child needs fewer separate jabs.
How Routine Vaccines Protect Children And Communities
Vaccines train the immune system, like a practice match before the real game. Your child’s body learns to spot germs and block them quickly.
That helps stop severe illness, long-term complications and, in the worst cases, death.
Many vaccines also reduce the spread. That protects babies too young for certain shots, children who are immunocompromised and grandparents who love a cuddle.
When more of us are vaccinated, the whole community gets stronger.
Real-World Scenarios
Picture a nursery room full of toddlers sharing blocks and giggles. If a child catches measles and others are unvaccinated, the virus can race through the group.
That can mean very sick children, worried staff and closures that disrupt work for parents.
Now picture the same room where most children are up to date. The virus hits a wall. Maybe one child feels unwell, but an outbreak is unlikely. Staff can keep the doors open, and you can get to work on time.
What Is New About MMRV And Chickenpox Protection?
This year, the NHS has added protection against chickenpox to the childhood programme using MMRV. It combines measles, mumps, rubella and varicella in one jab. That means fewer appointments and fewer needles for small arms. Parents asked for simpler vaccine journeys. This is a real step forward.
The Second Dose At 18 Months
To build strong immunity earlier, the second MMRV dose is offered at 18 months. Many children will have full protection well before school.
That is a big boost for reception classes and early years settings where close contact is part of daily life.
Free On The NHS Vs Private Cost
Varicella vaccine can cost around £150 for two doses if you pay privately. Through the NHS, eligible children get MMRV free.
This removes cost barriers so protection is fair for every family, not only those who can afford private clinics.
| Option | Cost To You | How To Book And Who It Suits |
| Routine NHS GP Appointment (includes MMRV) | Free | Call your GP or use online booking. Best for planned, on-time doses. |
| NHS Catch-Up Clinic | Free | Local sessions for missed doses. Good for busy parents and quick access. |
| Private Varicella Only | About £150 per 2-dose course | Paid option if not eligible on NHS. MMRV on NHS is simpler and free. |
| School or Community Pop-Up | Free | Occasional events when outbreaks occur. Handy for whole-family catch-up. |
Easy Ways To Check And Catch Up
A quick check avoids guesswork. Ten minutes today can save hours of worry if a classmate falls ill next month. Here is a simple plan you can follow.
- Look in your child’s Red Book for their vaccination history and dates.
- Call your GP practice if anything is unclear. Ask for a vaccine status check.
- Book any missing doses. Ask about MMRV timing, including the 18-month second dose.
- Save future appointments on your phone calendar with alerts.
- If you missed an invite, request a catch-up appointment. It is never too late.
- Share campaign info with friends and family. Your voice carries weight.
For the national schedule by age, see the NHS overview. It is reliable and short on jargon. You can also read the current measles guidance from the public health authorities.
NHS childhood vaccinations and when to have them | UKHSA measles guidance, data and analysis
What The Campaign Means For Early Years Settings
Nurseries, preschools and childminders are on the front line of child health. When more children are vaccinated, settings see fewer outbreaks, fewer closures and fewer worried phone calls. Staff absence drops, learning time rises, and families can rely on care that runs smoothly.
Here is how early years practitioners can help while staying within scope:
Make information easy. Share official leaflets, display simple posters and include vaccine reminders in newsletters. Avoid medical advice. Signpost to GP practices and NHS resources.
Build gentle prompts into daily life. Add a short vaccine status check to admissions forms. Ask parents to bring the Red Book to termly reviews. Use friendly language. No pressure, just support.
Plan for outbreaks. Keep up to date with infection control basics, cleaning routines and exclusion periods. Have a clear escalation route if a suspected measles or whooping cough case appears. Parents appreciate calm, confident plans.
Support inclusion. Some children cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. High uptake in the group shields them. That turns a setting into a protective circle, not just a place to play.
Work with local teams. Link with health visitors and immunisation teams to host Q and A sessions. Offer flexible timings so working parents can attend. Short, honest chats often answer big worries.
Busting Common Worries With Plain Facts
Concern about side effects is natural. Most side effects are mild, like a sore arm or low fever, and they pass in a day or two. The risk of a severe reaction is very low. The risk from diseases like measles is much higher, including pneumonia and brain swelling.
Some parents worry that too many vaccines at once might overload the immune system. The immune system is built to handle daily challenges from food, air and play. Vaccines are a tiny extra nudge compared to that constant workout.
Confusion online is common. Reputable studies across many countries show that MMR does not cause autism. If you see a scary claim on social media, check the source. A quick chat with your GP can bring real peace of mind.
Getting The Appointment Sorted
Booking is simple. When your invite arrives, call your GP practice or use online booking. Ask about weekend or after-school slots if that helps.
Tell the receptionist you are catching up if you have missed anything, including the MMRV second dose at 18 months.
On the day, bring your child’s Red Book, a favourite snack and a cuddle plan. The nurse will explain what is happening, check consent and answer your questions. The jab is quick. A sticker is optional but often celebrated.
Afterwards, keep an eye on your child for common mild effects like a slight fever. Follow the advice sheet, and use paracetamol for discomfort if safe for your child. If you are worried, call your GP practice or NHS 111 for guidance.
Who Is Behind The Campaign And Why It Matters
The Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and UKHSA developed the campaign together. Dr Zubir Ahmed MP has been clear: vaccination is one of the greatest public health successes of our time, and with uptake falling, we must act. Caroline Temmink, NHS England Director of Vaccination, urges every parent to check and book.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam at UKHSA reminds us it is never too late to catch up.
Vaccination is second only to clean water in preventing disease. These programmes protect against measles, whooping cough, meningitis, polio and diphtheria, among others.
When parents choose vaccination, they protect their child and help shield the whole neighbourhood. That is a powerful gift to give.
Ready To Act?
Take two small steps today. Check your child’s Red Book, then book any missing doses with your GP. Share the campaign message with one other parent.
Together we can keep children safe, support early years settings and build healthier communities. If you need help, call your GP practice now and ask for a vaccine status check. Your future self will thank you.
