A new pilot scheme in Somerset is offering childhood vaccinations during home health visits.
The scheme aims to improve access to routine immunisations by providing jabs during health visitor appointments for families who may face barriers reaching GP clinics.
It is designed for families who have missed vaccinations by the recommended age, not as a replacement for standard GP-led services.
Dr Georgina Angel, consultant in public health and screening and immunisation lead for NHS England South West, said: "We are pleased to be supporting the roll-out of this pilot in Somerset.
"We know that vaccination coverage in some areas isn’t as high as it needs to be to provide good protection against childhood infections, and that issues accessing healthcare, whether it be due to travel costs or other barriers, can have an impact on this.
"It is hoped that by offering childhood vaccinations at home during health visitor appointments, we can boost protection for children and support those who struggle to access healthcare."
Vaccination rates in parts of Somerset currently fall below the levels required to ensure high community protection.
Health visitors, who work with families of children aged 0 to five through home and clinic visits, will receive additional training as part of the 12-month pilot.
They will administer vaccines during at-home visits and offer support to parents who may have concerns.
Jo Gill, from Somerset Council, said: "While vaccination rates in Somerset are good overall, there are patches where the numbers are too low.
"In these patches, the numbers are below the desired targets and there is a risk that infections could spread.
"This pilot means we can reach children we might not have been able to reach before and provide stronger protection for our communities."
Eligibility for the scheme is based on locally agreed criteria and will focus on families who have not taken up a vaccination offer by the recommended age.
The pilot is being developed locally with health visiting services, GP practices, NHS organisations and community services.
It will be independently evaluated at the end of the 12 months to inform any future roll-outs of the service.
Currently, the service is being delivered in partnership with two GP surgeries, with hopes to expand to six surgeries by the end of the pilot period.
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