New NHS Data Reveals Continued Decline in Children Receiving Vital Vaccines
New data from the NHS indicates a concerning decrease in the number of children receiving life-saving vaccines for diseases such as polio and measles. Statistics from NHS England for the 2023/24 period show that none of the vaccines reached the target level required to prevent the spread of illnesses among children. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in order to achieve herd immunity and halt the transmission of diseases throughout the population, at least 95% of children should receive the complete set of vaccine doses for each illness.
The latest figures show that only 91.9% of five-year-olds had received the first dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, the lowest rate since 2010/11. Additionally, just 83.9% had received both doses, marking the lowest figure since 2009/10. The uptake of the first MMR dose at 24 months was also down at 88.9% in 2023/24, the lowest level since 2009/10. Coverage for all major vaccines decreased year-on-year, with the Hib/MenC vaccine recording the largest decline, dropping from 90.4% in 2022/23 to 89.4% in 2023/24, the lowest level since 2011/12. Other vaccines saw a decrease of approximately 0.5%.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is calling on parents to ensure their children’s vaccinations are up to date as there are concerns about a potential increase in diseases like measles and whooping cough, especially with falling vaccine uptake rates coinciding with the return to school period. Vaccines are credited with preventing over 5,000 deaths and 100,000 hospital admissions annually in England. Dr. Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, emphasised the importance of timely vaccinations, stating that they not only protect children but also prevent the spread of diseases to more vulnerable individuals.
Dr. Saliba encouraged parents to take advantage of vaccinations to safeguard their children from preventable diseases, highlighting that vaccination is not only about individual protection but also about preventing the transmission of diseases to others. Stressing that it is never too late to catch up on missed vaccinations, she urged parents to check their child’s vaccine records and consult with their GP practice if needed to schedule any necessary appointments promptly.
The data further reveals that 91.2% of children in England had completed the first course of the 6-in-1 vaccine by the age of 12 months in 2023/24, down from 91.8% the previous year. The 6-in-1 vaccine guards against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type B-related diseases, and hepatitis B. This vaccine regimen consists of three doses administered at eight, 12, and 16 weeks. NHS England noted a consistent decline in uptake of this vaccine since its peak of 94.7% in 2012/13.
In light of the worrying trend in vaccination rates, health authorities are emphasising the critical role vaccines play in protecting public health and urging parents to prioritise immunisations for their children to ensure they are shielded against preventable diseases.