Figures show low uptake of MMR vaccine

MMR vaccine uptake in Fife is the worst in mainland Scotland, according to the latest NHS Fife reports.

Data from the last quarter revealed that only 86.3% of the kingdom’s five-year-old children have had their MMR2 vaccination which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

The uptake rate has decreased locally since March 2019 and is the lowest it’s ever been.

“Uptake at five years for MMR2 in NHS Fife was lowest of all mainland NHS boards, one of three achieving less than 90%,” the NHS Fife report said.

“A multidisciplinary quality improvement group was formed in September 2022 to implement and monitor evidence-based quality improvement actions, with the aim of improving infant and pre-school uptake.”

NHS Fife representatives offered more context at yesterday’s board meeting. Although 91% of Fife’s six-year-olds have received their MMR2 vaccines, more needs to be done to hit the national target of 92% uptake by five years of age.

The MMR vaccine is offered to all children in Scotland. It is given in two doses, the first to children between the ages of 12 and 13 months, and the second at three years and four months.

If it’s missed, it can be given at any age. Both doses are needed to ensure full and lasting protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

NHS Fife is not the only authority in Europe struggling with vaccine uptake after the pandemic.

In February, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that cases of measles in the WHO European Region have been increasing since early 2022.