Alert as childhood vaccination rates drop – millions at risk of deadly infections

Vaccination rates are falling across England despite campaigns to curb outbreaks of measles and whooping cough, which have killed nine babies.

Newly published NHS data shows that coverage has declined overall, with none of the 14 childhood vaccines meeting the 95 per cent target.

However, there were large differences between regions, with the Northeast doing best with measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination rates approaching 90 percent.

London had the lowest take-up rate, at 73 percent. Previous research has shown that in some boroughs the rates are as high as 60 percent, putting thousands of children at risk.

South West England recorded the highest estimated uptake of primary vaccination with the 6-in-1 vaccine (which includes whooping cough) among five-year-olds, at 95 per cent, while London again saw the lowest uptake, at almost 87 per cent.

Overall, coverage declined, with none of the 14 childhood vaccines meeting the 95 percent target.

Uptake of the Hib/MenC vaccine among five-year-olds ranged from almost 93 percent in the south-west of England to 82.5 percent in London.