Health

Uptake of all 13 child vaccinations drops


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Coverage of all 13 routine childhood vaccinations for the under-fives has fallen in the past year, figures show.

NHS data for 2018-19 showed uptake of the first dose of the MMR vaccine fell from 91.2% to 90.3% in England – the fifth year in a row it has dropped.

Regional data showed coverage fell in all parts of England apart from the North East.

The other vaccines that saw falls include those that protect against tetanus, diphtheria and polio.

It was announced last month that the UK had lost its World Health Organization measles-free status, three years after the virus was eliminated.

The target for MMR uptake is 95%. Coverage rates for the second dose dropped from 87.2% to 86.4%.

Other countries are also struggling with the disease – globally the number of cases nearly tripled in the first seven months of the year compared with the same period in 2018.

Measles is now endemic in a number of countries, including France, Germany and Italy.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Falling childhood vaccination rates are unacceptable. Everyone has a role to play in halting this decline.

“The loss of our measles-free status is a stark reminder that devastating diseases can, and will, resurface.

“We need to be bold and I will not rule out action so that every child is properly protected.”


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