Morning, Tuesday, 24th November 2026
Online
This conference will discuss next steps for vaccine rollout, research and development in the UK. Areas for discussion include improving public confidence, uptake and access, strengthening commissioning arrangements and delivery, support for research and innovation, alongside enhancing surveillance, preparedness and outbreak response.
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss implications of the Government's 10 Year Health Plan and Pandemic Preparedness Strategy for vaccination policy and delivery, including priorities for prevention, digital access, community-based provision, and preparedness for future health threats. Discussion is also expected on measures to address declining childhood vaccination rates, reduce inequalities in access, and strengthen public confidence in vaccination programmes.
Further discussion will consider expanding the use of the NHS App for booking and managing vaccinations, the transition of commissioning responsibilities to Integrated Care Boards, and the growing contribution of community pharmacy, neighbourhood health services and schools to vaccine delivery. Attendees will also examine priorities for R&I across vaccine development and deployment, alongside the infrastructure needed to support surveillance, testing, data use and rapid response.
Widening access to vaccinations & building confidence
Ways forward for improving access to vaccines and strengthening public confidence will be discussed, including the role of community settings in improving participation, reducing avoidable variation in access, and supporting equitable use of innovation across the health system.
The agenda will explore:
- targeted and tailored approaches to widening access for underserved and hesitant groups - workforce training priorities, including culturally sensitive practice and local engagement
- key issues from the UKHSA Immunisation Equity Strategy: commitments for 2025-2030
- accountable system leadership, better use of immunisation data and evidence, and embedding person-centred and place-based communication across delivery
- addressing concerns around workforce capacity and funding sustainability
- options for tackling barriers such as inflexible appointment systems, logistical and transport issues - expanding use of the NHS App in managing appointments, reminders and vaccination records
- latest thinking on tackling misinformation and disinformation - supporting transparency, consistent public messaging and trust in institutions
- maximising drivers of vaccine confidence - strengthening relationships with community groups, trusted healthcare professionals and local leaders to support uptake
Childhood vaccination rates & data monitoring
In light of the House of Lords ongoing inquiry into childhood vaccination rates, sessions will assess recent trends in routine immunisation coverage, with discussion on what is needed to reduce barriers to access, strengthen targeted outreach, and better support families. Attendees will consider implications of uneven coverage across areas and communities, alongside data and delivery improvements needed to identify gaps earlier and support more responsive local action.
Areas for discussion include:
- identifying and addressing factors contributing to declining and uneven vaccination coverage
- approaches to improving vaccine uptake among children and young people - effective practice in engaging parents, carers and families
- examining early insights from the Government’s health visitor-led vaccination pilot - reaching families facing practical, language or confidence-related barriers
- utilising local data and population insights to identify gaps in coverage - improving data systems and data sharing infrastructure - key considerations for a single patient record
Commissioning, investment, innovation & preparedness
Delegates will also examine priorities for strengthening commissioning and delivery, supporting investment and innovation, and enhancing preparedness across vaccination programmes. This includes the transition towards ICB leadership in commissioning, questions around eligibility criteria and supply resilience, and the infrastructure needed to connect routine prevention with outbreak readiness and vaccine innovation.
Discussion will focus on:
- widening access to initiatives such as the NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad and UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway
- patient-to-trial matching, genomic testing, trial set-up and regulatory considerations for personalised vaccines
- preparing for transition of vaccination commissioning responsibility to ICBs - supporting ICSs to reduce fragmentation while maintaining national consistency, quality standards and oversight
- improving system leadership and commissioning effectiveness - resource allocation, commissioning capability and financial considerations during service reorganisation
- priorities for governance, accountability and performance oversight - aligning vaccine strategy with prevention, digital access and neighbourhood care ambitions in the 10 Year Health Plan
- UK’s Pandemic Preparedness Strategy and operational readiness - strengthening surveillance, diagnostics, manufacturing capacity, clinical countermeasures and rapid response infrastructure
- contribution of routine immunisation and targeted vaccination programmes to population protection following the meningococcal B (MenB) outbreak in Kent earlier this year
- early operational learning from the targeted response and one-off MenB vaccination programme for young people - reducing structural gaps in vaccine coverage
- approaches to incentivising R&D - key issues for leveraging AI in vaccine development and clinical trial delivery - strengthening public-private partnerships and investment in innovation
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
