The Isle of Wight is above the national average for the MMR (measles mumps, rubella) inoculation, but the public health chief still believes we can do better.
Between July and September 2021, 90.7 per cent of the Island’s two-year-olds had had their first MMR dose. In the same time frame, 96.1 per cent of children aged up to five had the first dose, but only 91.9 per cent had both.
In 2020/21, nationally, 86.6 per cent of children had had two MMR vaccines by their fifth birthday, compared to 88.6 of Island children.
More than one in ten under-fives now at risk
Nationally, uptake of the MMR vaccination has dropped to its lowest level in a decade, with more than one in ten under-fives now at risk.
Both the IW and the country are well below the World Health Organisation’s 95 per cent target.
A campaign has been launched today (Tuesday) by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS asking parents and guardians to ensure children are up to date with the MMR vaccine.
Bryant: Potentially lifesaving immunisations
The Island’s public health director Simon Bryant said the MMR vaccine offered the best protection against the diseases.
He said,
“Measles, in particular, can be a serious disease in children and so I’m urging all parents and carers to check their child is up to date with all their jabs, and ensure their children take up these potentially lifesaving immunisations when they are offered.”
For advice, you can contact your GP surgery or health visitor.
4,500 deaths have been prevented since 1948
UKHSA estimates since the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1968, 20 million measles cases and 4,500 deaths have been prevented in the UK.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: Kristine Wook under CC BY 2.0
