Number of people getting meningitis jab has plunged
The number of young people in Portsmouth and across Hampshire receiving the jab which prevents meningitis has plunged from pre-pandemic levels.
During World Immunisation Week health officials have warned some young people are at risk of potentially deadly meningitis and blood poisoning after a fall in vaccine coverageamongteenagersacrossthe country.
The UK Health Security Agency figures show 55.1 per centofyear9studentsinPortsmouth got the MenACWY vaccine, which protects against four strains of the meningococcal bacteria, in the 2021-22 academic year – well below the national average.
Thisisasignificantfallfrom 84.2percentin2018-19,thelast academic year before the pandemic. For the rest of Hampshire, the uptake dropped to 70 per cent in 2021-22, from 91.1 per cent in 2018-19.
Across England, uptake of the vaccine has fallen from 88 per cent in 2018-19 to 69.2 per cent last year.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA said: ‘In recent years we have seen vaccine uptake fall due to the challenges posed by the pandemic.
‘Many young people who missed out on their vaccinations have already been caught up, but more needs to be done to ensure all those eligible are vaccinated.
‘These vaccines offer the bestprotectionasyoungpeople start their journey into adulthood and mixing more widely, whether going to college, starting work, travelling or going to summer festivals.’
There has also been a country-wide decline in uptake for the 3-in-1 vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheriaandpolio.Itfellfrom87.6per centamongyear9studentsprepandemic to 69 per cent last year.
Health minister Maria Caulfield said: ‘It’s incredibly important for children to stay up to date with routine vaccinations as this remains one of ourbestdefencesagainstinfectious diseases, not just for the personbeingvaccinatedbutfor their family, friends and those around them.’
She added that in support of World Immunisation Week, she is urging parents to speak to their school nurse, school immunisation team or GP surgery to book an appointment if their children have not been vaccinated.
Lastweek,Unicefsaidabout 67mchildrenaroundtheworld did not receive routine jabs between 2019 and 2021.