A new pilot programme is underway in Somerset to help ensure more children receive their routine vaccinations on time.
The initiative allows health visitors to administer childhood jabs during home visits, supporting families who may struggle to attend GP appointments due to travel costs, childcare pressures or other barriers.
Health visitors—specialist public health nurses and midwives who support families with children aged 0 to five—will receive additional training to deliver vaccinations safely and to help parents who may have concerns. The scheme is not intended to replace GP services but to reach families who have missed the recommended vaccination window.
Dr Georgina Angel, Consultant in Public Health and Screening and Immunisation Lead for NHS England South West, said the pilot aims to close gaps in vaccination coverage across the county. She noted that uptake in some areas remains below the level needed to provide strong protection against childhood infections. Offering vaccinations at home, she said, could help overcome practical barriers and improve protection for children.
Somerset Council has welcomed the initiative. Jo Gill said that while overall vaccination rates in the county are good, there are “patches where the numbers are too low,” increasing the risk of infections spreading. The pilot, she added, will help reach children who might otherwise miss out and strengthen community protection.
Eligibility for the service will be based on locally agreed criteria and will focus on families who have not taken up vaccination offers by the recommended age. Parents are still encouraged to use their local GP surgery for routine vaccinations where possible.
The 12‑month pilot is being developed in partnership with health visiting teams, GP practices, NHS organisations and community services. It will be independently evaluated at the end of the trial to help determine whether the scheme should be expanded. Currently, the service is being delivered with two GP surgeries, with hopes to increase this to six by the end of the pilot period. See NHS England for more.
If successful, the programme could play a key role in improving vaccination uptake across Somerset, ensuring more children receive vital protection against preventable diseases.
