The National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed that there has been a fall in uptake of nearly all pre-school vaccinations since 2013. NHS England missed the 95% uptake target for six out of seven pre-school jabs in 2018-19, following a general downward trend since 2012-13.
The Scale of the Problem
One in seven children under the age of five has not been given the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab. In 2018-19, only 86.4% received the second dose of the MMR vaccine by age five, and 84.8% received the four-in-one pre-school booster.
The report also confirmed that uptake of the booster for Haemophilus, influenza type B and meningitis C vaccines (known as Hib/MenC) had never exceeded the 95% target and continued to fall.
Earlier this year, the UK lost its measles-free status after cases of the potentially deadly illness began to circulate in some communities.
Why Are Rates Falling?
The report found issues with “inconsistencies” and “no coherent system” across the country in how parents were contacted and re-contacted about booking vaccine appointments. Since the reorganisation of the system in 2013, there has been no consistent national approach by NHS England and Public Health England to engage with “underserved” groups, such as travellers, recent migrants and some religious faith groups.
The NAO also highlighted that London has the lowest uptake rates of child vaccinations in the country. Figures revealed that 96.4% of children in County Durham receive the second MMR dose, compared with just 64.1% in Westminster. Similarly, 97.5% receive the Hib/MenC jab in County Durham, compared with 71.2% in Hackney and City of London.
Dr Sarah Wollaston, Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, described the decline as “worrying” and confirmed she would be questioning health bodies on their plans to improve vaccination uptake.
How Harrow Health Care Can Help
Here at Harrow Health Care, we provide a full range of children’s routine vaccinations. At our practice, we pride ourselves on offering a fast, convenient and uncompromised vaccination and immunisation clinic, with same-day and next-day appointments available.
Our expertise also extends to the recommended immunisation schedule for babies born outside the UK — and in particular, the United States. We understand how important it is that children travelling around the globe follow the immunisation schedule of their nationality.
For more information and to see the complete range of vaccinations we offer to babies and children, click here.