Vaccine Warning: England Children Unprotected – School Start Rates
Here’s a summary of the key points from the provided text:
Declining Vaccination Rates: Vaccination rates for key childhood diseases (diphtheria, measles, mumps, and rubella – MMR, and the four-in-one booster) are falling in England, particularly among five-year-olds.MMR uptake is at 81.4% nationally.
Measles Death: A child recently died from measles in liverpool – the first UK death from the disease in a decade – highlighting the danger of low vaccination rates. Liverpool has particularly low MMR coverage (73%).
Increased Risk of Outbreaks: Experts warn that these low rates will lead to more children becoming ill and perhaps dying from preventable diseases as they start school.
Regional Disparities: There are significant regional differences in vaccination uptake. The North East has the highest rates (over 90% for MMR), while London has the lowest (around 69.6% for MMR).
Ethnic Minority Groups: Vaccine uptake is also lower among some ethnic minority groups,specifically Black Caribbean and African populations. Reasons for Low Uptake in london: London’s high population mobility and frequent house moves make it harder for families to stay registered with GPs and receive vaccination reminders.
* Call to Action: The government is urging parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated.
In essence, the article paints a concerning picture of declining childhood vaccination rates in England, with potential serious consequences for public health, and highlights the need to address both national and regional inequalities in vaccine coverage.