NHS vaccination leads in the North West are urging families to bring their children forward for vital pre-school vaccines during World Immunisation Week (24-30 April), as data shows more than one in 10 children are unvaccinated and unprotected against measles, mumps and rubella by the time they start school in many parts of the North West

The latest published data for October to December 2022 shows that uptake of both doses of the vaccine by age 5 was below 90% in more than half of local authorities in the region and less than 80% in some areas, including Liverpool and Knowsley.

The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination is proven to be very effective and safe in protecting children against these highly infectious conditions, which are easily spread between unvaccinated people. The MMR vaccine is delivered in two doses, the first (MMR 1) at 12-months-old and the second (MMR 2) at three years and four months.

At least 95% uptake of the MMR vaccine is needed to provide ‘herd immunity’ – the point at which the population is protected from a disease.

Regional Head of Public Health at NHS England – North West, Tricia Spedding, has reminded parents and carers of the importance of children having their routine immunisations as soon they become eligible, ensuring they are protected against serious illnesses as early as possible.

The routine childhood immunisation programme is designed to provide early protection against vaccine-preventable infections from 8 weeks of age, with boosters offered at 12 months and before starting primary school.

In the North West, uptake of the 6-in-1 vaccination, which includes diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), polio, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis) is 91.1% – and in some areas, including Blackburn with Darwen, it is only 82%, meaning one in five children aged 12 months and under are not protected.

Uptake of rotavirus vaccine, which can only be given to babies up to 15 weeks old to protect them from the most common cause of gastroenteritis, is 87.7% in the region, compared with a national average of 89.3%.

Tricia Spedding said: “It’s really concerning to see low uptake of childhood vaccines in some parts of the North West.

“Since vaccines were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are either gone or seen very rarely. Other diseases like measles and diphtheria have been reduced by up to 99.9% since their vaccines were introduced.

“However, if people stop having vaccines, it’s possible for infectious diseases like measles to quickly spread again.

“It’s really important that babies and children have vaccinations as soon as they are offered to make sure they are protected from the earliest possible age and we recommend that parents whose children are due to start school this September make sure they’ve had all of their routine vaccinations so they can be fully protected from preventable illnesses.”

If parents and carers are unsure if their child is up to date with vaccinations, they can check their Red Book (personal child health record) or speak to their GP surgery.

Find out more about the routine childhood immunisation programme on the NHS website: NHS vaccinations and when to have them – NHS (www.nhs.uk)