In a robust new appeal, health leaders in Kent and Medway have moved to reassure parents that vaccines are safe, as fresh figures show that the uptake of the crucial measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) jab remains well below the level recommended by the World Health Organisation. Dr Kate Langford, the chief medical and outcomes officer for NHS Kent and Medway, said parents may have seen incorrect information online or elsewhere, but stressed that the vaccine is both safe and effective. Her comments come at a time when infections such as measles and whooping cough are rising across the country, and the NHS is urging families to check whether their children have received both doses of the vaccine before they start school. In Kent, only 82.9% of five-year-olds had received both doses by the end of March this year, while in Medway the figure was 82.8%. Both are significantly below the 95% uptake target that the World Health Organisation advises is necessary to maintain herd immunity and prevent outbreaks of these highly contagious diseases.
Measles is one of the most infectious illnesses known and can spread very easily among unvaccinated children and adults. The NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board is therefore asking parents and carers to take immediate action to protect their children. Dr Langford explained that while some families may have concerns about vaccination, these worries are often based on misinformation. “We need parents and carers to take action now,” she said. “They may have concerns about the vaccine, they may have read things that are not right, but it is safe and effective.” She also warned that catching measles can have a severe impact on a child’s life, leading to time off school, hospital treatment, and, in some cases, lifelong complications and disability. The vaccine is available free on the NHS, and it is never too late to catch up on missed doses.
The routine childhood immunisation schedule now includes the MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. It has replaced the older MMR jab on the NHS schedule in many areas. Children need two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected, and it is recommended that they receive these before starting primary school. Parents who are unsure whether their child is up to date are being advised to check the child’s Red Book, which records vaccinations, or to contact their GP practice for advice. A simple check could identify children who have missed one or both doses, allowing them to be vaccinated quickly. This is especially important as children return to school and mix with others, giving infectious diseases more opportunities to spread.
Dr Ellen Schwartz, deputy director of public health at Kent County Council, thanked families who had already taken their children for vaccination, but noted that more children in Kent and Medway could still be protected from what she described as a “nasty disease” with just two doses of the MMRV or MMR vaccine. She also reminded parents that vaccination is not only about protecting an individual child. “Getting vaccinated also helps protect others who can’t have the vaccine, including babies under one year,” she said. Some children are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, such as weakened immune systems, and they rely on high vaccination rates in the wider community for protection. The idea of herd immunity means that when enough people are immunised, the disease has fewer chances to spread, shielding those who are most vulnerable.
Professor David Whiting, Medway Council’s Director of Public Health, reinforced the seriousness of the situation by describing measles as one of the most contagious diseases but also one of the most easily preventable. He said that ensuring a child has both doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect them from serious illness and to help stop the spread of infection in local communities. “As children return to school and mix with friends, it is important that parents and carers check their child’s vaccination record,” he said. “If they have missed one or both doses of the MMR vaccine, now is the perfect time to catch up.” His comments echo the wider public health advice that vaccination appointments can be arranged at any time through GP practices, and that no child should be left unprotected if they have simply missed a scheduled appointment.
The new push to improve vaccination uptake in Kent and Medway is part of a wider national effort to tackle a worrying decline in childhood immunisations. Health officials say that parents who are unsure about the vaccine should speak to a healthcare professional rather than relying on unverified information from social media or other sources. More information about vaccines and where to get them is available at www.GetVaccinatedNow.co.uk. As health leaders continue to make their case, the message from Dr Langford, Dr Schwartz, and Professor Whiting is consistent: measles can be dangerous, but it is preventable, and the MMR and MMRV vaccines remain reliable tools in protecting children, families, and communities. With school terms under way, health officials are asking every parent to check their child’s vaccination status now and arrange any missed doses as soon as possible.