The government has issued a chilling warning after it revealed vaccination rates in year 9 children have plunged. The new alert was issued today (April 24) as it published data showing that just 69 per cent of youngsters aged 13-14 have had the Td/IPV and MenACWY vaccines.
This means that 31 per cent have weak protection - with the potentially fatal diseases tetanus, diphtheria, meningitis and polio on the rise. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that uptake of the adolescent vaccines offered to 13 and 14 year olds who were in school year 9 during the 2021 to 2022 academic year has fallen
Pre pandemic the levels of vaccination uptake for the boosters was around 88 per cent, meaning there has been a steep plunge in rates. The government warned: "These rare but serious diseases can cause life-threatening illness leading to hospitalisation, permanent disability and even death."
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The data suggests that the NHS has already caught up many children who missed out on their vaccines, with uptake improving to around 80 per cent for children in year 10. UKHSA is urging parents and guardians to ensure eligible young people are up to date with their adolescent vaccines before they leave school.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "Vaccines protecting against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and meningococcal disease are offered to young people in school year 9 and are being delivered in schools right now. 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." Children and young people who have missed out on their teenage vaccines should contact their school nurse, school immunisation team or GP surgery to arrange a catch-up.
These vaccines offer the best protection as young people start their journey into adulthood and mixing more widely – whether going to college, starting work, travelling or going to summer festivals.
Health Minister Maria Caulfield added: "It’s fantastic to be supporting World Immunisation Week and I encourage parents to ensure their children receive the routine vaccinations they’re eligible for, including the vaccine for meningitis and the 3-in-1 booster which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and polio.
"It’s incredibly important for children to stay up to date with routine vaccinations as this remains one of our best defences against infectious diseases, not just for the person being vaccinated but for their family, friends and those around them."
If your child is due for a vaccination, you don’t need to wait to be contacted – speak to your school nurse, school immunisation team or GP surgery to book an appointment. Steve Russell, National Director for Vaccination and Screening, said: "The 3-in-1 teenage booster and the MenACWY vaccination are extremely well-researched and proven to provide protection against a range of diseases that can cause serious illness.
"NHS School Aged Immunisation Services offer these vaccinations in secondary schools, as well as the HPV vaccination that protects against a range of cancers and we strongly urge those eligible and their family members and guardians to ensure they are up to date, and if not to come forward for their vaccines as soon as possible – it’s the best way to keep you protected."
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