Six year-high for number of MMR vaccinations
The proportion of children having their first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab has increased for the first time in six years.
New data from NHS Digital shows that, while coverage is still below the 95% needed for herd immunity, the proportion having the first dose of the vaccine by age two rose to 90.6% in 2019/20 from 90.3% the previous year.
This is the first time in six years that MMR coverage in England has increased, following a peak of 92.7% in 2013-14.
Dr Andrew Wakefield's 1998 discredited Lancet study caused vaccination rates to plummet, resulting in a rise in measles.
The North East had the highest level of coverage at 95.1% and was the only region to exceed the national target.
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS national director of primary care, said: "Vaccines provide vital protection against life-threatening diseases and so it is great that coverage of MMR is increasing, but we want even more parents to come forward and get their children vaccinated.
"NHS staff are working hard to ensure that MMR and other vital vaccination appointments are still going ahead safely throughout the pandemic, so as a mum and a GP I want to remind other parents that getting your kids their vaccination is not only safe, but potentially life-saving."
Dr Doug Brown, chief executive of the British Society for Immunology, said: "The slight rise in uptake of routine childhood vaccinations in England is a step in the right direction but we must still take urgent action to overcome the ongoing trend of missing the 95% target set out by the World Health Organisation.