Map shows MMR vaccine rates continue to fall across the UK
Our new map shows the proportion of children vaccinated against potentially deadly but preventable diseases such as measles as the rates of vaccinations continue to drop. The map will show you the rates where you live.
The UK Health Security Agency recently revealed that a child had died during England’s biggest outbreak of measles in a decade. As of September 9, there had been 2,465 lab-confirmed cases of measles this year. That compares to just 362 cases all last year.
The UKHSA partly blames the increase of cases this year on falling rates of the MMR vaccine. New NHS England figures show that 91.9% of five-year-olds had received one dose of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, the lowest level since 2010-11 and only 83.9% had received both doses which is the lowest since 2009-10.
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At least 95% of children should receive their full set of vaccine doses for each illness in order to achieve herd immunity, according to The World Health Organisation. NHS England data shows that no council area of England hit the target figure of vaccinating 95% of children against measles, mumps, and rubella by their fifth birthday.
The UKHSA is urging parents to check their children’s vaccinations are up to date amid fears of a back-to-school surge of diseases like measles and whooping cough due to falling vaccine rates. The NHS says vaccines prevent more than 5,000 deaths and 100,000 hospital admissions each year in England.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: “As a mum and doctor, I know the additional stress that comes with having a sick child. I encourage all parents to take up the offer of vaccinations for their children at the right time, to give them the best protection from preventable diseases.
“Childhood vaccines prevent babies and children from suffering needlessly and can even be life-saving. And importantly vaccination is also about not spreading the disease to others who may be more vulnerable.
You can see the proportion of children who received both doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine by their fifth birthday using the interactive map below.