In a groundbreaking move to protect vulnerable children, the UK government is launching an innovative home vaccination program targeting families who struggle to access traditional healthcare services.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting revealed a pilot scheme that will train health visitors to provide direct, personalized vaccination services to children in twelve regions across England, addressing critical gaps in childhood immunization coverage.

The initiative comes in response to alarming data showing that no childhood vaccines have met the critical 95% coverage target for children under five. By bringing healthcare directly to struggling families facing barriers like language challenges, transportation costs, and childcare complications, the government aims to dramatically improve vaccine uptake.

Streeting expressed deep concern about the current state of children's healthcare, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the system has not adequately prioritized children's health needs. 'As human beings, it is in our nature to prioritize children,' he stated. 'You talk to the overwhelming majority of parents, good parents, they will take bullets for their children. I don't think that's reflected sufficiently in the state.'

The pilot program will specifically target twelve areas including London, the Midlands, North East, Yorkshire, North West, and South West. Health visitors - specially trained nurses and midwives with community public health expertise - will lead these targeted interventions, working directly with families of children aged five and under.

Professor Steve Turner from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health welcomed the plan, highlighting the urgent need to address systemic healthcare inequities. He noted that it has become 'routine' for children to wait beyond recommended NHS treatment timelines, with a staggering quarter of children waiting over a year for community treatment.

As part of this comprehensive approach, the government is also developing a workforce strategy to address declining numbers of health visitors and community nurses. The initiative signals a significant commitment to protecting children's health, with an additional announcement that children up to age six will receive free chickenpox vaccine protection starting January 2026.

While political opponents have criticized the plan, health experts view this targeted approach as a crucial step toward ensuring every child receives essential preventative healthcare, regardless of their family's economic or social circumstances.