The UK Heath Security Agency (UKHSA) has expressed alarm that around one in 10 children starting school are inadequately protected against measles, as vaccination coverage has dropped to its lowest level for a decade.
A new campaign to remind parents and guardians to ensure their children have two doses of MMR vaccine comes as figures reveal that since March 2020, COVID-19 measures have been accompanied by a significant reduction in uptake of MMR and other childhood immunisations.
The latest quarterly vaccination statistics for children aged up to 5 show that 24-month UK coverage for the first dose of the MMR vaccine in 2 year olds decreased by 0.4% to 89.4%. Other falls were recorded in 12-month coverage for:
- DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB3 decreased by 0.2% to 91.9%
- Rotavirus decreased by 1.0% to 89.7%
- MenB2 decreased by 0.2% to 92.0%
- PCV decreased by 0.3% to 93.8%
- MMR2 decreased 0.8% to 86.3%
- The pre-school DTaP/IPV booster decreased by 0.7% to 85.2%
The campaign is being launched as supporting new research reveals that almost half of parents and guardians are unaware that measles can be a serious risk to children’s health, and that complications may on rare occasions be fatal. The study, commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care and the UKHSA, showed that among around 2000 parents and guardians of children aged 5 and under:
- Only 38% were aware measles can rarely be fatal
- 48% were unaware that measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis
- 56% were not aware that two doses of the MMR vaccine gives 99% protection against measles and rubella
Vaccination Rate Lower than WHO Targets
Coverage for both doses of MMR in 5-year-olds in England is currently 85.5%, well below the World Health Organization target of 95% needed to achieve and sustain measles elimination.
Vaccines Minister Maggie Throup commented: "It is very concerning to see falling levels of uptake for the MMR vaccine. It is absolutely crucial we make sure our children are fully protected against measles, mumps and rubella with both doses of the jab."
Helen Bedford, professor of children’s health at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, said: "There has been so much focus on COVID over the past two years, but we mustn’t forget about measles, which has not gone away.
"Because measles is so infectious, any drop in vaccine uptake is very worrying as it may result in outbreaks."
Alison Morton, executive director of the Institute of Health Visiting said: "It is very worrying that more than 1 in 10 5-year-olds is not fully protected against measles. Measles is highly infectious (much more than COVID) and can make children very ill indeed. During the pandemic, the measures we have all taken to protect ourselves and our communities from infection resulted in a reduction in measles. However, this does not mean it has disappeared. Measles is waiting in the wings and it only takes a small fall in vaccine uptake for us to start having outbreaks."
The National Institute for Health and care Excellence (NICE) is expected to produce new guidelines on vaccine uptake in the general population by May this year.
