Dr Sara Kayat on MMR vaccine uptake

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS have today launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella.

Data shows that the current vaccination rate for MMR in the UK has dropped to its lowest level in over a decade. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a sizeable decline in children receiving their MMR jabs. Around 1 in 10 children are now unprotected against measles, mumps and rubella.

New research reveals 48% of parents are not aware that measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation, while only 4 in 10 are aware that measles can be fatal. Around 90% of unvaccinated or not previously-infected people exposed to measles can be infected by the virus. The campaign aims to remind parents that the NHS remains open for routine appointments and infant vaccinations, and calls on them to check their children are up to date with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Aston spoke to Dr Sara Kayat.