Kids at risk of deadly meningitis and measles – as vaccination rates fall AGAIN
Experts say the drop in vaccination rates is 'worrying' and called for urgent action to protect against disease outbreaks
THE number of kids being vaccinated against potentially deadly diseases is dropping, new figures show.
Experts branded the trend "worrying" and called for urgent action to boost uptake and protect younsters from diseases like meningitis, measles and whooping cough.
Rates for some jabs are now so low the general population could be at risk, because there is no longer "herd immunity".
This makes it easier for outbreaks to spread and puts unvaccinated people - of all ages - at greater risk.
The downturn comes amid a revival of the so-called "anti-vax" movement.
They peddle conspiracy theories and wrongly claim vaccinations cause conditions such as autism.
But it is thought parents struggling to get appointments at GP surgeries are also to blame.
New figures published by NHS Digital today show rates have fallen for nine out of 12 childhood vaccines.
They increased for one jab and remained constant for three others, over the past year.
Coverage for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for kids reaching their second birthday fell to 91.3 per cent in England in 2017/18.
That's down from 91.6 per cent the previous year - and marks the fourth year in a row MMR vaccinations have dropped.
The World Health Organisation's target is 95 per cent coverage for MMR.
WHO declared measles had been "eliminated" in the UK last year - after the disease was curtailed for 36 months.
But an outbreak in Europe has spread across the Channel, with a surge in cases here.
There have been 876 cases of measles in England so far this year, according to Public Health England.
SPOT CHECK What is the MMR vaccine, what are the side effects, when was it introduced and why was it linked to autism?
The figures also show coverage for the five-in-one vaccine at 12 months has fallen for the fifth year in a row.
It protects babies against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio and Hib disease.
The Rotavirus vaccine was the only one that had an increase in coverage.
The North East had the highest coverage across the 12 vaccines and London the lowest.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Approximately 10 days after the illness is contracted, signs become noticeable.
The NHS outlines the initial symptoms of measles as:
- cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and a cough
- sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light
- a high temperature (fever), which may reach around 40C (104F)
- small greyish-white spots on the inside of the cheeks
A few days after these flu-like symptoms manifest, a rash often begins to appear.
Distinctive red-brown blotches spring up on the body, typically beginning at the upper neck and spreading downwards.
Severe complications can occur, including miscarriage in pregnant women, brain swelling and the risk of death from pneumonia.
If you think you or a family member has measles, tell your GP - and be sure to mention measles on the phone so that they protect you and other patients.
To avoid the risk of spreading the disease, avoid as much human contact as possible.
Dr Doug Brown, from the British Society for Immunology, said: “Vaccination saves lives.
“It is one of the safest and most cost-effective methods we have to prevent the spread of disease.
“We need to redouble efforts to ensure that vaccination rates improve.”
Prof Jonathan Ball, from the University of Nottingham, said: “The decline in vaccine uptake is worrying – particularly as many of these infections can cause serious disease and even death.
“It is really important to try to understand why people are not getting their children vaccinated so that measures can be put in place to overcome these barriers.
“If uptake continues to decline then we will see increasing numbers of outbreaks and with them, inevitably serious illness and possible death.
Helen Donovan, professional lead for public health at the Royal College of Nursing, added: "Coverage declined in nine out of 12 of the routine vaccination measures compared to last year."
"This means immunity against deadly or life-changing diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria and polio is dropping. These were diseases of the past - they should not be part of our future."
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Dr Michael Edelstein, consultant epidemiologist at Public Health England, said: "We are seeing small reductions in uptake for most of the childhood vaccines which is why we continue to encourage all parents to get the best protection for their children by ensuring they are fully immunised.
"We are working closely with the NHS, and with staff in general practice where most vaccinations are delivered, to improve uptake."
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