Urgent health warning issued ahead of return to school
Almost one in five children not protected from serious illnesses
- Not a single childhood vaccine in England met the World Health Organisation's 95 per cent herd immunity target last year, raising concerns about preventable disease spread.
- Almost one in five children is projected to start primary school next month without full protection against serious illnesses.
- Uptake of the MMR vaccine is at its lowest levels since 2009/10-2010/11, with only 83.7 per cent of five-year-olds having received both doses.
- Other key vaccines, including Hib/MenC and the four-in-one pre-school booster, also show concerningly low or declining uptake rates.
- Significant regional disparities persist across England, with London consistently recording the lowest vaccination rates for various childhood jabs.