Parents urged to get children MMR jab as one in six not fully vaccinated

Parents are being urged to get their children vaccinated as new NHS figures show nearly one in six had not received both doses of the MMR vaccine by the age of five

Getting two doses of the vaccine offers long-lasting protection against measles, mumps, and rubella, which can lead to severe health issues like blindness and meningitis. According to the latest vaccination data released by NHS England, 16.1% of kids who turned five between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, haven’t received both doses of the MMR vaccine. This is the lowest percentage since 2010-11, but still, 91.9% of five-year-olds have had at least one dose. The stats also reveal that one in nine kids (11.1%) who celebrated their second birthday in 2023-24 missed out on the first dose of the MMR vaccine. Additionally, one in 12 babies (8.8%) didn’t get all three doses of the 6-in-1 vaccine, which protects against whooping cough and other serious diseases like diphtheria and polio, by their first birthday. To help, the NHS and GP practices have been sending out reminders to parents and caregivers of unvaccinated children, urging them to get their kids protected. Thanks to these efforts, thousands more young people are now vaccinated, with data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showing that over 13% of previously unvaccinated kids received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine between August 2023 and April 2024. The NHS is urging parents and caregivers to check if their children are up to date on vaccinations and to reach out to their GP practice if they need to schedule an appointment. The UKHSA has also cautioned about a potential ‘back to school surge’ in measles cases.

Public Health and Prevention Minister Andrew Gwynne stated, “Vaccines are our best defence against serious illness. I encourage all parents to ensure their children are vaccinated as they head back to school or nursery this autumn.”

Information founded on: NHS England » Parents urged to get children MMR jab as one in six not fully vaccinated