Coverage for all 14 standard childhood vaccinations has decreased further for 2023-24, according to data from NHS Digital.
The report annual, Childhood Vaccination Coverage Statistics for England, also shows 8.8% of babies had not received all three doses of the 6-in-1 vaccine, which protects against serious illnesses such as whooping cough, diphtheria and polio.
Additionally, 11.1% of children who had their second birthday in 2023-24 did not get their first MMR dose, and 16.1% of children who turned five between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 had not received both MMR doses.
Evidence has shown a steady decline in vaccination coverage over the past 10 years. As a result, the UK does not meet the World Health Organization’s target of 95% coverage for routine childhood immunisations.
‘The result of this trend is being felt already,’ said Dr Helen Stewart, RCPCH Officer for Health Services, ‘with measles outbreaks occurring across the UK, increasing cases of whooping cough and poliovirus being found sewage samples in London.
‘We understand that vaccine hesitancy may be an issue in some instances, but evidence shows that accessibility and availability of health appointments plays a huge role in low uptake. We urge the UK Government to take forward the commitments of the NHS’s vaccine strategy and work towards reversing this dangerous trend.’
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