One in six children not fully vaccinated against MMR
Latest data from NHS England shows 16.1% of children who turned five between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024 had not received both doses of MMR vaccine – the lowest level since 2010-11.
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) can cause serious illness and lead to further complications such as blindness and meningitis. NHS England advises that all children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine by the age of five. Yet the latest figures in NHS England’s annual Childhood Vaccination Coverage Statistics report, co-authored with the UKHSA, show a concerning fall in vaccinations.
Photo by CDC
Although 91.9% of those who turned five between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024 had received at least one dose of vaccine, the figure for both doses was 83.9% – a notable mean, meaning that some one-in-six children have not received the full protection. Indeed, the 16.1% of these children who had not received both doses is the highest figure in more than a decade.
In London, just 73.1% of children had received the vaccine by the age of five – the lowest levels in England. What’s more, the new release of data shows that 11.1% (one in nine) of children who turned two in the same period had not received a first dose of MMR vaccine.
Given this, it is no surprising that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned there could be a ‘back to school surge’ of measles. According to UKHSA, there have already been 2,465 cases of measles this year.
Meanwhile, 8.8% (one in 12) of babies turning one in 2023-24 had not received all three doses of the ‘6-in-1-vaccine’ which protects against such serious diseases as whooping cough, diphtheria and polio.
The NHS and local GP practices have sought to address this issue by sending reminders to parents and carers of children who’ve not been fully vaccinated to encourage them to get the full protection. Data from UKHSA shows that this has met with considerable success, with more than 13% of previously unvaccinated children receiving one dose of the MMR jab between August 2023 and April 2024.
The NHS continues to encourage parents and carers to check that their children are fully protected and, if not, to contact their GP. It also urges pregnant women to get vaccinated against whooping cough to protect their babies.
Andrew Gwynne MP, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, says: ‘Vaccines are our best form of protection against serious illness. I urge all parents to take up vaccinations to keep children safe as they return to the classroom or nursery this autumn.’
Steve Russell, National Director for Vaccinations and Screening at NHS England, adds: ‘Too many children are still not fully vaccinated against diseases like measles and whooping cough, which can cause serious illness and are preventable. Vaccinations have been protecting children for decades and are offered free as part of the NHS routine immunisation programme, saving thousands of lives and preventing tens of thousands of hospital admissions every year.
‘We would advise parents to urgently check their child’s vaccination records and ensure they’re protected from becoming seriously unwell. Just speak to a healthcare professional like a school nurse if you’d like more information about vaccines and contact your GP practice if you’d like to arrange a vaccination appointment for your child.’
Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, says: ‘Our drive to increase vaccine uptake must continue so that no child is left at risk of serious illness or life-long complications. These vaccines offer the best protection as children start their journey into nursery and mixing more widely. Many who missed out on their vaccinations have already been caught up, but more needs to be done to ensure all those eligible are vaccinated.’
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