Scientists comment on UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data on childhood vaccine uptake between April 2024 to March 2025.
Prof Helen Bedford, Professor of Child Public Health, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (GOS ICH), University College London (UCL), said:
“In the UK it is the norm for most parents to accept vaccination for their children and the success of vaccine programmes means that many once common very serious diseases are now a thing of the past. However, to maintain this, we need to continue vaccinating as, once uptake rates fall, the diseases come back. We have seen this vividly this year in England where numbers of cases of measles have been higher than for over a decade with many children hospitalised and, very sadly, a death. So, it is very concerning that each year for the past fifteen, there has been a small decline in vaccine uptake. Latest uptake figures show this trend is continuing. There are multiple reasons for this decline, but we know that for some parents it is simply because they are not aware when vaccines are due or because it is not always easy making an appointment for vaccination or attending at a time and a place that is convenient for them.
“As children go back to school or start school for the first time, this is an ideal opportunity to check their red book to see if they have had all the vaccines they should have had. Before starting school at 3 years 4 months, it is recommended that children have a booster vaccine of diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio (DTaP/IPV) and a second dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR). These doses are important to ensure children are protected through their school years. Measles is highly infectious, and with nearly 2 in 10 children not receiving both doses of the MMR vaccine—rates that are even lower in some parts of the country—further outbreaks are likely.
“So, I would urge parents to put vaccination at the top of your “Getting Ready for School List”. Even if a child has missed earlier vaccines, it is never too late to catch up on this vital protection.”
Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush, Assistant Professor of Global Health & Development at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said:
“The latest annual update data are consistent with a downward trend in routine immunisation coverage in England since 2013/14. The consequences are clear, as reported measles cases in 2024 were the highest reported since 2012, and a child death in 2025. The latest figures are expected because there have been no significant changes to strengthen immunisation systems or address the root causes of declining vaccine coverage. The past 10-15 years have been characterised by a harsh period of austerity, which generated changes to health and social care and also a punishing socioeconomic reality for families. Vaccine coverage has consistently declined across this period, raising questions about how the immunisation system has been limited and the barriers faced by parents and especially those living in urban or deprived areas. Sure Start Children’s Services and health visitors performed a key role in supporting GP surgeries with immunisation programme delivery, but have been extremely vulnerable to public sector cuts since over the past decade. Time will tell how the Labour government’s ‘Best Start’ agenda will help to reverse this trend but it depends on how this is implemented and used to bolster immunisation programme delivery.
“The Labour government have made key announcements about major reform of the healthcare system, including the integration of NHS England into Department of Health & Social Care and the expectation of Integrated Care Boards to slash operational costs by 50%. There remains a lot of uncertainty about these changes, and frank questions need to be asked about how these changes will bring help to bring improvements in vaccine programme delivery and to sustain public engagement with vaccinations. The continued transmission of measles should provoke policy-makers to take stock of the situation and consider the multi-sector responses that are needed to change course, for example, across education, health and social care. Big questions need to be asked about the ability make progress and reverse the damages caused by a decade of austerity, and how to do so in a resource-constrained environment.
“While waiting for clarity about these system-level issues, there are pragmatic steps that can be taken to prevent measles infection and outbreaks ahead of the return to school in September. If a parent is unsure about a child’s vaccination record, please do call your GP surgery team. If a parent has questions about vaccination, my advice would be to always check credible sources like the NHS website or to call your surgery. Please do be cautious about vaccine information on social media, as it may not be based on scientific evidence. Schools have an important role to play in supporting catch-up efforts by collaborating with School Age Immunisation Services, guidance is available to help build effective relationships. Strengthening partnerships, at every level, will be critical to changing course.”
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cover-of-vaccination-evaluated-rapidly-cover-programme-annual-data
Declared interests
Prof Helen Bedford: No conflicts
Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush: no competing interests to declare.