NEWS: One in Five Children Not Vaccinated

As reported in The Shropshire Star, health leaders say there is “more to do” to boost vaccine uptake, as new figures show thousands of children remain unvaccinated against serious illnesses just days before the new school year

Data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and analysed by the Press Association reveals that almost one in five children starting primary school are not fully protected against diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), polio, whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria.

The UKHSA and NHS England are asking parents to check their child’s vaccine records and catch up on any missed vaccinations with their GP.

While confidence in MMR vaccinations has begun to recover following long-discredited research that damaged public trust, officials say uptake is still too low.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Immunisation at UK Health Security Agency, said: “Far too many children will not be fully protected and safe when starting school and are at risk of serious diseases, such as measles and whooping cough, that have in recent years caused outbreaks. Measles, being the most infectious disease, is the ‘canary in the coalmine’ and a wake-up call that urgent action is needed to stop the very real risk of other diseases re-emerging.”

From January another vaccination will offered for the first time to children across England. The Government has announced that a free chickenpox vaccination which it says will protect around half a million children each year.