Concern over low levels of youth vaccine uptake

A council has raised the need to increase vaccination uptake in children and young people.

North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) said the number of children getting their full measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jabs had steadily declined year-on-year.

Statistics issued by NHS England suggested about 15% of children had not received the two doses of MMR required for full protection by their fifth birthday.

The statistics for West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) have painted a similar picture, with the most recent data showing 82.1% of children under five receiving the two doses.

The figures are below the regional (85.3%) and national (83.9%) average.

Both authorities' figures have declined since 2021-22 when the two Conservative-controlled unitary councils were created and started recording separate data, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Speaking at a health scrutiny meeting last week, Sarah Briddon, the health protection principal at NNC, said the authority was looking to "push increases" in vaccine uptake.

She said the council and integrated care board partners had put in bids for additional funding from NHS England.

Three were accepted, totalling about £45,500, which would enable further vaccine initiatives to run.

Ms Briddon said this would help boost jabs within the younger population, while "narrowing the gap in uptake between those living in the most deprived areas and between ethnic groups where disparities exist".

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