# Declining childhood vaccination rates and new EU programs > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/declining-childhood-vaccination-rates-in-europe > Updated: 2026-09-21T16:02:55.000Z. Sources: 58. Developments: 4. Childhood vaccination rates are showing signs of decline or stagnation across various European regions. In the United Kingdom, health officials reported that MMRV vaccination rates in Dorset reached only 88 percent, failing to meet the 95 percent target necessary for population immunity. Additionally, flu vaccine uptake among primary school children in the West Midlands was recorded at 50.9 percent, which is below both the national average and pre-pandemic levels. Broadening the scope to the European Union, a study in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, analyzing WHO and UNICEF data from 1980 to 2024, indicated that 16 of the 27 member states have experienced declining trends in at least four of seven routine childhood vaccinations. Notable declines were observed in meningitis B and polio vaccinations across 20 countries, alongside downward trends in Hepatitis B and the DTP combination. Recent data highlights specific countries where coverage has fallen for all seven analyzed vaccines, including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania, and Sweden. While Luxembourg and Portugal maintain high coverage, Romania has seen rates fall below 80 percent. In response to respiratory threats, some nations are expanding immunization programs. Croatia has announced that RSV vaccinations will be free for all children starting this autumn, with plans to expand free coverage for meningococcus, rotavirus, chickenpox, and influenza by 2027. Bulgaria is launching a National Program for the prevention of seasonal influenza in children, providing free immunization for those aged 6 months to 17 years. In Romania, pharmacies report increased interest and pre-orders for seasonal influenza vaccines, particularly for children under seven. ## Claims - The most significant declines were observed in vaccinations for meningitis B and polio. (disputed by 17 sources) - Declines in Hib and Polio vaccinations were the most significant, with 20 EU countries observing downward trends in each. (disputed) - 16 out of 27 EU member states showed declining trends in at least four of the seven studied vaccination indicators. (corroborated by 26 sources) - Researchers analyzed WHO and UNICEF data spanning from 1980 to 2024. (corroborated by 25 sources) - Most vaccination coverage declines began between 2019 and 2022, coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic. (corroborated by 23 sources) - A study published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe reports declining or stagnating childhood vaccination rates in many EU countries. (corroborated by 22 sources) - Germany has seen declining trends in five of the seven routine vaccinations studied. (corroborated by 20 sources) - Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania, and Sweden recorded declines in all seven analyzed childhood vaccines. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Romania's vaccination coverage remained below 80% in 2024. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Luxembourg and Portugal are among the few countries to maintain vaccination rates of at least 95 percent across all seven indicators. (corroborated by 18 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-21: European nations expand childhood vaccination programs for RSV and influenza European nations, including Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania, are expanding vaccination programs for children to combat seasonal RSV and influenza. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/public-health-updates-bulgaria-launches-flu-vaccine-program-and-north-macedonia-reports-lower-immuni ### 2026-09-19: European Union childhood vaccination rates decline A study in The Lancet reveals declining childhood vaccination rates across much of the EU, with 16 countries seeing drops in multiple vaccine types since 2019. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/europe-faces-declining-childhood-vaccination-rates-and-legal-debates ### 2026-09-17: EU childhood vaccination rates decline in 16 member states A study in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe shows declining childhood vaccination rates in 16 EU countries, with significant drops in meningitis B and polio coverage since the Covid-19 pandemic. 40 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-childhood-vaccination-rates-decline-in-many-member-states ### 2026-09-13: UK childhood vaccination rates fall below targets in Dorset and West Midlands UK health officials report low childhood vaccination rates, with MMRV coverage at 88 percent in Dorset and flu vaccine uptake at approximately 51 percent in the West Midlands. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-childhood-vaccination-rates-fall-below-targets-in-dorset-and-west-midlands --- Cite as: Declining childhood vaccination rates and new EU programs. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/declining-childhood-vaccination-rates-in-europe