Warwickshire behind target for MMR jabs

Warwickshire is falling behind the target for fully vaccinating children against measles, mumps and rubella before they turn five, figures show.
A nurse handles a syringe at a medical centre in Ashford, Kent, similar to those which will be used for a new combined jab for babies. The vaccination will protect children against Diptheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Hib and Polio and will be administered to babies over two-months-old later this year. Plans for a shake-up of the vaccine regime for babies are being formally unveiled by senior health officials today. But health campaigners and politicians have warned the Government that it risks a repeat of the MMR controversy unless more reassurances are given about the safety of a new five-in-one immunisation jab. The Government's plans for a combined vaccination emerged over the weekend, when the Department of Health also confirmed that mercury is to be removed from the whooping cough vaccine. 10/09/04: There is no evidence to support a link between the controversial MMR jab and the development of autism in children, researchers said Friday September 10, 2004. Concern about a reported link between the triple vaccine and the disorder has led to a drop in the number of parents getting their children vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella in the UK.   *07/12/04: Immunisation against infectious disease has saved more lives than any other public health intervention in Irish history, apart from providing clean water, it is claimed. Minister of State Tim O'Malley urged parents to ensure their children were protected against infectious diseases. A nurse handles a syringe at a medical centre in Ashford, Kent, similar to those which will be used for a new combined jab for babies. The vaccination will protect children against Diptheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Hib and Polio and will be administered to babies over two-months-old later this year. Plans for a shake-up of the vaccine regime for babies are being formally unveiled by senior health officials today. But health campaigners and politicians have warned the Government that it risks a repeat of the MMR controversy unless more reassurances are given about the safety of a new five-in-one immunisation jab. The Government's plans for a combined vaccination emerged over the weekend, when the Department of Health also confirmed that mercury is to be removed from the whooping cough vaccine. 10/09/04: There is no evidence to support a link between the controversial MMR jab and the development of autism in children, researchers said Friday September 10, 2004. Concern about a reported link between the triple vaccine and the disorder has led to a drop in the number of parents getting their children vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella in the UK.   *07/12/04: Immunisation against infectious disease has saved more lives than any other public health intervention in Irish history, apart from providing clean water, it is claimed. Minister of State Tim O'Malley urged parents to ensure their children were protected against infectious diseases.
A nurse handles a syringe at a medical centre in Ashford, Kent, similar to those which will be used for a new combined jab for babies. The vaccination will protect children against Diptheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Hib and Polio and will be administered to babies over two-months-old later this year. Plans for a shake-up of the vaccine regime for babies are being formally unveiled by senior health officials today. But health campaigners and politicians have warned the Government that it risks a repeat of the MMR controversy unless more reassurances are given about the safety of a new five-in-one immunisation jab. The Government's plans for a combined vaccination emerged over the weekend, when the Department of Health also confirmed that mercury is to be removed from the whooping cough vaccine. 10/09/04: There is no evidence to support a link between the controversial MMR jab and the development of autism in children, researchers said Friday September 10, 2004. Concern about a reported link between the triple vaccine and the disorder has led to a drop in the number of parents getting their children vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella in the UK. *07/12/04: Immunisation against infectious disease has saved more lives than any other public health intervention in Irish history, apart from providing clean water, it is claimed. Minister of State Tim O'Malley urged parents to ensure their children were protected against infectious diseases.

Warwickshire is falling behind the target for fully vaccinating children against measles, mumps and rubella before they turn five, figures show.

Hundreds of youngsters in the area were not fully vaccinated against the trio of potentially life-threatening diseases by their fifth birthday last year, according to the latest childhood vaccination statistics.

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The MMR jab protects against measles, mumps and rubella, highly infectious conditions which can have life-changing consequences.

For a child to be fully protected, they should receive two vaccinations, the first at the age of one and the second when they are three.

But NHS Digital figures show 90% of children in Warwickshire were fully vaccinated by their fifth birthday in 2020-21 – below the 95% target set by the World Health Organisation.

It meant 695 children did not receive both doses of the MMR jab by age five.

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The latest figures suggest significant disparities in vaccine uptake across local authority areas, with 96% of five-year-olds fully vaccinated in County Durham compared to 60% in Camden.

Measles, mumps and rubella can easily spread between unvaccinated people and can lead to serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, from the UK Health Security Agency, said anyone without two doses of the vaccination remained at risk.

She said coverage had fallen nationally due to the coronavirus pandemic, increasing the risk of a resurgence of the diseases.

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Dr Saliba added: "It’s essential that parents take up the offer of MMR for their children.

"If your child has missed one or both of their MMR vaccinations, contact your GP surgery to arrange an appointment as soon as possible – it is never too late to catch up.”

Last year, 94% of infants in Warwickshire had their first jab before the age of two, suggesting around 372 babies did not receive the routine immunisation.

Across England, 90% of two-year-olds and 94% of five-year-olds had received the initial vaccine in 2020-21, meaning both proportions were slightly down from the year before.

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Around 87% of five-year-olds had received both jabs by their fifth birthday.

An NHS spokeswoman urged parents to check their child's medical records and ensure immunisations were up to date, adding: “It’s vital that parents ensure their children are fully protected with this jab – which can ultimately save a child’s life.”

The recently launched Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, part of the Government's Department of Health and Social Care, is working to reduce health disparities and improve access to services.