Nottinghamshire's MMR jab coverage behind target

NHS England is urging parents to ensure their children are booked to get the jab, after the uptake rate fell to its lowest level in more than a decade.

The MMR jab protects against measles, mumps and rubella, highly infectious conditions which can easily spread between unvaccinated people and have life-changing consequences.

For a child to be fully protected, they should receive two vaccinations, the first around their first birthday and the second when they are three.

NHS Digital figures show 88 per cent of youngsters in Nottinghamshire were fully vaccinated by their fifth birthday in 2021-22, behind the 95 per cent target set by the World Health Organization and down from 90.2 per cent in 2020-21.

Across England, the uptake rate has fallen to the lowest level seen in 11 years – 85.7 per cent of five-year-olds across the country were fully vaccinated against MMR in 2021-22, compared with 86.6 per cent on 2020-21.

Dr Doug Brown, British Society for Immunology chief executive, said the figures, which also show a decrease in national uptake for other childhood jabs such as the six-in-one vaccine, are ‘extremely worrying’.

He said: “Immediate action to reverse this alarming downward trend is urgently needed.

“Vaccines save lives and are the safest and most effective method to protect our children against disease.

“Low levels of vaccination matter as it means these diseases have the potential to spread, infecting vulnerable individuals unable to have vaccinations such as young babies or people with cancer. We must do better.”

In the East Midlands, 87.3 per cent of youngsters have had both doses of the MMR jab.

The NHS is now contacting the parents of about 740,000 children aged one-six who have not yet had one or both doses, encouraging them to make an appointment with their GP.

Steve Russell, NHS director of vaccinations, said: “The MMR vaccine is one of the most studied vaccines in the world, with millions of doses given every year. It is safe for your child and will protect them, their friends and the wider community from these unpleasant, but preventable diseases.”