UK Intensifies Childhood Vaccination Efforts Amid Measles Outbreak
February 28, 2024
The UK is confronting an escalating measles outbreak by launching an advertising campaign to encourage childhood vaccinations. Vaccination rates have declined over the past decade, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The campaign, beginning March 4, features children discussing the risks of not being vaccinated against diseases like measles and whooping cough. With over 600 cases reported, mostly in children under five, the campaign reminds parents to ensure vaccinations are current. Only 83.8% of 5-year-olds have received both doses of the MMR vaccine, below the 95% needed for herd immunity. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is coordinating this effort, which includes TV, radio, and online ads, as well as vaccine drives and multilingual materials. While the decline in vaccination is not due to increased negative attitudes, it is attributed to missed appointments and the pandemic’s impact on healthcare services.
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[Source: STAT, February 28th, 2024]
