MMR Vaccinations Dropping

The number of children who received the MMR vaccine dropped from 92.7% to 92.3%, says the Health and Social Care Information Centre.

19:12 24 September 2015

The Health and Social Care Information Centre has revealed that in 2013-2014, 92.7per cent of children in the UK received the MMR vaccine. The number dropped to 92.3per cent the following year. Some parts of the country had less than 80per cent while the target rate is 95per cent.

 

Between 1996 to 2004, vaccination rates fell from around 92per cent to 80per cent due to scare linking the vaccine to autism. This led to an “unvaccinated generation” susceptible to the infections, which culminated in the biggest measles outbreak in England in 2012.

Dr Mary Ramsay, the head of immunisation at Public Health England, said it was "pleasing" that MMR coverage was still high.

 

She added: "We urge all parents to check that their children are up-to-date with their vaccinations and to contact their GP as soon as possible if they are unsure so that no child misses out."

 

However, Dr David Elliman, an immunisation expert for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "It is disappointing that uptake of NHS immunisations have not continued to rise, however the falls are very small.

 

"This could be read as children not receiving the vaccination or alternatively, it could be a lack of data collection linked to considerable pressures on staff working in the NHS.

 

"In view of the considerable upheaval that the NHS is going through, it's a credit to staff that we haven't seen bigger falls in uptake."