The Childhood Vaccinations Committee, a House of Lords Select Committee, was appointed to examine childhood vaccination rates in England, including the causes of declining uptake and widening inequalities, and to make recommendations to improve access and confidence.

BIMA has submitted evidence highlighting that falling uptake is driven primarily by structural inequalities and access barriers, not faith identity. These inequalities are longstanding and more pronounced in England compared to other UK devolved nations.

BIMA emphasised the importance of locally commissioned, flexible services that remove practical barriers and reflect how communities access care. In particular, school-based delivery and the provision of injectable (non-porcine) flu vaccine alternatives are critical to improving access and building trust, supporting vaccine confidence across the life course.

BIMA calls for an equity-focused, locally led approach, with stronger accountability, better alignment of resources with need, and sustained partnership with communities to improve vaccine uptake and reduce disparities.