Number of children getting MMR jab falls to LOWEST in a decade

Fewer than one in 10 children now start school at risk of catching measles after vaccination rates plummeted to a decade low during the pandemic.

All youngsters are offered their first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at the age of one year, and the second when they are three. 

But latest figures show uptake plunged to 88.6 per cent for one dose by age two, and to 85.5 per cent for both jabs by age five in September last year. 

This was the lowest level in England recorded since 2011 and well below the World Health Organization’s 95 per cent target to keep the virus at bay. 

Experts claim the focus placed on the Covid vaccination drive took away the emphasis on other routine inoculations. 

Measles is highly infectious, meaning even a small drop in uptake could lead to more outbreaks. It is also life threatening for around one in 500 children. 

Professor Helen Bedford, a children’s health expert at University College London, said the dip was ‘very worrying’.

‘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. Measles is waiting in the wings, but we can prevent it resurging through vaccination.’ 

The UK officially eradicated the disease in 2017 after a successful vaccination programme.

But cases have been on the rise since, against the backdrop of falling vaccination rates.  

There were nearly 800 cases in 2019 but only around 80 cases have been detected since March 2020 – an unintended consequence of lockdowns and the pandemic.

The UK Health Security Agency warns that there is likely to be an uptick as travel restrictions are lifted and domestic Covid rules loosened. 

It has now launched a joint appeal with the NHS to parents to get their children vaccinated. 

One in 10 parents were unaware that the NHS was still offering the jabs during the pandemic, a Department of Health survey shows. 

Almost half of parents were unaware measles could be life-threatening. 

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and medical director for primary care at NHS England, added it was ‘incredibly important’ for parents to ensure their children get the vaccine.

‘These vaccines give children crucial protection against serious and potentially deadly illnesses and stop outbreaks in the community.

‘If your child has missed a vaccination, please contact your GP practice to book an appointment as soon as you can to make sure they have maximum protection against disease.’ 

Launching the new campaign, Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: ‘The MMR vaccine offers the best protection from measles, mumps and rubella which is why we’re calling on parents and carers to make sure their children are up to date with their two doses.

‘Even a small drop in vaccine coverage can have a big impact on population immunity levels and lead to outbreaks.

‘I would urge parents to check if their children are up to date with their MMR vaccines and if not to get them booked in as soon as they are able. It’s never too late to catch-up.’ 

Measles is a highly infectious respiratory virus. 

In rare cases, measles can lead to a condition called SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis), which can trigger progressive destruction of the central nervous system, loss of motor control, epilepsy and death.

Since the measles vaccine became available in 1968, it is estimated that 20million cases and 4,500 deaths have been prevented in the UK alone. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) says 95 per cent of children need to be vaccinated to keep measles away.