Hundreds of Buckinghamshire babies miss MMR vaccination
The number vaccinations for MMR fell for 2019-2020.
Over 400 Buckinghamshire babies were not vaccinated before their second birthday.
New figures from NHS Digital show that the number of babies in Buckinghamshire who had their first MMR jab before their second birthday has fallen.
For 2019-2020 93.1% of babies had been given the first dose, which is a decrese from 93.3.% for the year before, meaning 449 babies were no inoculated this year.
Across England though that number is lower at 90.6%, although that is a rise of 0.3% on the year before.
This is the first time in six years that MMR coverage nationwide has increased, following a peak of 92.7% in 2013-14.
Dr Juliet Sutton is a local GP and Director of Children's Services at Buckinghamshire CCG:
"Usually mum's will pass antibodies for measles, mumps and rubela to the baby. Those covers most babies to about 10/11 months, but after that these antibody levels drop and they are susceptible to catching these illnesses.
"I think it is vitally important that we get that number up because herd immunity means that we then don't see these illnesses. And actually, we can stop these illnesses happening full stop if we get that magic number."
However, the county figure and national figure are both below the 95% needed for herd immunity.
Vaccination rates fell and measles rates began to rise following a study in 1998 by Dr Andrew Wakefield claiming the jabs were unsafe.
The findings were later discredited and the General Medical Council (GMC) struck him off, ruling he had been “dishonest, irresponsible and showed callous disregard for the distress and pain” of children.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected GP services, but vaccinations are still taking place and parents are being urged to keep up to date.
Dr Juliet Sutton says to contact your GP if you have any worries:
"I think there was a general drop off of child vaccinations at the start of lockdown, and that is completely understandable. People were worried about lots of things and worried about coming into the doctors so there was a postponing of vaccinations in a way.
"Now, there is perhaps a focus on flu and Covid and sometimes it perhaps just drops down peoples list of priorities.
"I think it has just been that it has started to drop off a bit and people have concerns, but then we see a rise in concerns of children and young people getting the illnesses.
"If there are any concerns from parents about their child's eligibility or whether they have any concerns at all, please do get in touch with the practices. We will be more than happy to try and ease those concerns."