UK children receive lowest vaccine rates in over a decade

Vaccination rates among children in the UK have reached alarming lows, with data from NHS England for 2023/24 revealing that not a single vaccine met the necessary target to prevent disease spread. The World Health Organization recommends that at least 95% of children receive their vaccinations to achieve herd immunity. However, only 91.9% of five-year-olds received one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, marking the lowest level since 2010/11. Additionally, just 83.9% received both doses, the lowest since 2009/10. The decline in vaccination uptake is evident across all major vaccines, with the Hib/MenC vaccine showing the most significant drop, falling to 89.4% for five-year-olds in 2023/24. This represents a decrease from 90.4% in the previous year and is the lowest since 2011/12. The last time any vaccine exceeded the 95% target was in 2020/21, highlighting a concerning trend in public health. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated, especially with the potential for a resurgence of diseases like measles and whooping cough as schools reopen. Dr. Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist, emphasized the importance of vaccinations in preventing serious illnesses and hospitalizations. Despite some parents responding to outreach efforts to catch up on missed vaccinations, the overall situation remains critical. The downward trend in vaccine uptake poses a significant risk, as even a single case of measles can lead to outbreaks in unprotected populations, particularly in schools and nurseries.