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| Alarm as uptake drops for all 13 child jabs | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Coverage of all 13 routine childhood vaccinations for the under-fives has fallen in the past year, figures show. | Coverage of all 13 routine childhood vaccinations for the under-fives has fallen in the past year, figures show. |
| NHS data for 2018-19 showed uptake of the first dose of the MMR vaccine fell from 91.2% to 90.3% in England - the fifth year in a row it has dropped. | NHS data for 2018-19 showed uptake of the first dose of the MMR vaccine fell from 91.2% to 90.3% in England - the fifth year in a row it has dropped. |
| The other vaccines that saw falls include those that protect against tetanus, diphtheria and polio. | The other vaccines that saw falls include those that protect against tetanus, diphtheria and polio. |
| Health officials warned that children were being put at risk by the decision to shun these routine vaccinations. | |
| Public Health England's head of immunisations Dr Mary Ramsay said while the percentage changes might seem small, the impact should not be underestimated. | |
| "There are big drops in terms of public health. The trend is concerning. | "There are big drops in terms of public health. The trend is concerning. |
| "No parent should be in any doubt of the devastating impact of these diseases. | "No parent should be in any doubt of the devastating impact of these diseases. |
| "It's vital that everyone recognises the value of vaccines and takes up this life-saving offer." | "It's vital that everyone recognises the value of vaccines and takes up this life-saving offer." |
| The measles problem | The measles problem |
| It was announced last month that the UK had lost its World Health Organization measles-free status, three years after the virus was eliminated. | It was announced last month that the UK had lost its World Health Organization measles-free status, three years after the virus was eliminated. |
| The target for MMR uptake is 95%. There are two doses - one given just after a child's first birthday and then a second dose before school. | |
| No part of England is achieving the 95% target for the first dose, with all parts of England seeing a fall in uptake in the past year with the exception of the North East. | |
| Coverage rates for the second dose dropped from 87.2% to 86.4%. | |
| However, Northern Ireland and Scotland are seeing vaccination rates above that level for the first dose. Wales is not. | However, Northern Ireland and Scotland are seeing vaccination rates above that level for the first dose. Wales is not. |
| Other countries are also struggling with the disease - globally the number of cases nearly tripled in the first seven months of the year compared with the same period in 2018. | Other countries are also struggling with the disease - globally the number of cases nearly tripled in the first seven months of the year compared with the same period in 2018. |
| Measles is now endemic in a number of countries, including France, Germany and Italy. | Measles is now endemic in a number of countries, including France, Germany and Italy. |
| Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the situation was "unacceptable". | |
| "Everyone has a role to play in halting this decline. | "Everyone has a role to play in halting this decline. |
| "The loss of our measles-free status is a stark reminder that devastating diseases can, and will, resurface. | "The loss of our measles-free status is a stark reminder that devastating diseases can, and will, resurface. |
| "We need to be bold and I will not rule out action so that every child is properly protected." | "We need to be bold and I will not rule out action so that every child is properly protected." |
| The idea of compulsory vaccination has been put forward by some. | The idea of compulsory vaccination has been put forward by some. |
| But so far, the government has focused on working with social media companies to make sure misleading anti-vaccine messages are quashed and getting GPs to promote catch-up vaccinations for children. | |
| Have you chosen not to vaccinate your child? You can get in touch with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you chosen not to vaccinate your child? You can get in touch with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |