Vaccine uptake falls again for babies and toddlers
Annual figures show a further decline in vaccination coverage among babies and toddlers, with overall rates still below the WHO target.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Annual figures show that uptake of every vaccine offered to protect babies against serious illnesses has declined again. The data, covering the year to March, also shows that vaccine coverage among toddlers aged between one and two years old has dropped. However, vaccine uptake for primary school children has stabilised after a 10-year decline.
The overall vaccination rate still falls 5% below the World Health Organisation target of 95% needed for herd immunity. Officials have warned that there is still a long way to go before all children are fully protected.
Becky Baird, Senior Fellow in Health Policy at the King's Fund, said the reasons behind the decline are nuanced and complex. She said it is easy to frame the issue around anti-vax messages, but the evidence suggests it is much more complicated. Parents may be vaccine hesitant, needing more information, but access is also a barrier. Working long hours, limited appointment times, and poor transport can make it difficult for families to get their children vaccinated.
Baird stressed the importance of trusted relationships with professionals, which take time to build. She said the most effective services build confidence, remove barriers, and understand what local communities need. She also noted that children are now dying unnecessarily from diseases like measles, and that vaccination is critical for public health.
On the question of making vaccines compulsory, Baird said there are many interesting factors, but there is a lot that can be done before that point, such as making vaccination easier. A blanket approach is unlikely to shift rates; instead, a flexible response tailored to each community is needed.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| The general vaccination rate remains 5% below the WHO target of 95%. | |
| Vaccine coverage among toddlers aged one to two years old dropped in the year to March. | |
| Vaccine uptake among primary school children stabilised after a 10-year decline. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
ITV1 focused on expert analysis of the reasons behind the decline, emphasising that it is not simply about anti-vaccine sentiment but also about access and trust. The interview with Becky Baird provided a nuanced view, and the report highlighted the need for local solutions rather than a blanket approach.
- “It's really easy to frame this about anti-vax messages and about parents not having confidence in the vaccine. But the evidence suggests it's much more complicated than that.”
- “Children are now dying unnecessarily in this country from diseases like measles.”
- “A blanket approach is very unlikely to shift vaccination rates.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.