Drop in vaccination rates in England alarming, experts warn
This article makes me worry about the erosion of our “herd” immunity. It tells us:
Experts have expressed alarm at the drop in take-up of all routine childhood vaccinations across England, with a marked decline in rates against 13 different diseases, which leaves many thousands of children under-protected.
The UK recently lost its measles-free status because of the fall in rates of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) immunisation. But the latest figures from NHS Digital for England in the year to the end of March 2019 show a loss of confidence for vaccinations more generally.
At the ages of 12 months, 24 months and five years there has been a marked decline in vaccination rates against 13 different diseases, including whooping cough (pertussis), diphtheria and meningitis.
Lives at risk from surge in measles across Europe, experts warn
Measles protection is down again – part of a protracted fall in take-up of the MMR jab that has led to outbreaks across Europe, which have then spread into England. Measles had been officially eradicated in the UK, but the World Health Organization recently withdrew its measles-free status.
Coverage of 95% of the population is necessary to prevent outbreaks. Among children aged 24 months, vaccination in England has dropped from 91.2% in 2017-18 to 90.3% in 2018-19. The rate has gone down each year for the last five years.