Parents urged to check whether their children are up to date with potentially life-saving vaccinations

The uptake of vaccines that protect against tetanus, diptheria & polio, & meningitis are well below pre-pandemic levels Other routine adolescent immunisation programmes show similar impact from the pandemic, with uptake not yet back to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Data published by the UK Health Security Agency shows that uptake of vaccinations offered to 13 and 14 year olds at school fell during the coronavirus pandemic, leaving many young people now unprotected from life-threatening diseases.

Though improving, uptake of vaccines that protect against tetanus, diptheria and polio, and against meningococcal disease are well below pre-pandemic levels.

Other routine adolescent immunisation programmes show similar impact from the pandemic, with uptake not yet back to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Public Health Devon say that uptake of adolescent vaccines by young people in the county is generally good compared to the rest of the UK, with take up levels for most vaccinations above the national average.

Nationally the aim is to vaccinate at least 95 per cent of children and young people who are eligible for jabs to protect them against Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), and Diptheria, Tetanus, Whooping cough, and Polio (DTaPIPV).

Steve Brown, our Director of Public Health, said:

“We want to support all of those eligible to make an informed choice about being vaccinated, and we’re asking parents to check if their children are up to date with their MMR vaccines to protect them against measles, mumps and rubella.

“Your GP surgery should be able to check whether your child has had both doses of the MMR vaccine, or you may be able to access their vaccination record online through GP online services.

It is never too late to catch up on any missed doses of MMR vaccination.

“Whilst booking your child’s MMR vaccine, check if your child is due other vaccines. They may be able to have them at the same time.”

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.”