MMR - UPTAKE STILL DROPPING IN UK
Clifford G. Miller
Contrary to UK Dept of Health claims, (http://www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/immstats2005to2006)
and contrary to the spin in the press reports:-
- MMR uptake in London is the lowest ever
- MMR uptake is also dropping across England compared to last year
Latest figures for 2005-6 (out last Friday 29/9/06) show:-
MMR decreased across London since 2004-5:-
- -2% for 1st dose by age 2 to 77.5% from 79.5%
- -5.6% for 2nd dose by age 5 to
51.63% from 57.22%
MMR uptake across England since 2004-5:-
- decreased -1.31% for 1st dose by age 2 to 87.3% from 86.61%
- increased 0.29% for both doses by age 5 to 87% from 89% for
2004-5
NOTE: London figures are still affected by computer problems:-
(1) 9 PCTs were unable to submit data due to problems relating to the
implementation of a new child health system.
These were in:
North Central London where 4 PCTs out of 5 were unable to report
North East London where 5 PCTs out of 7 were unable to report
(2) Five year booster not available due to systems problems
My prior email correctly showed a continuing decrease for 5 year olds.
The figures for 2 year olds show a significant increase.
Here are the additional figures. First doses by age two have increased
as follows:-
|
Percentage of Children receiving MMR vaccine by 2nd Birthday |
|
England |
London |
|
2004-5 |
80.86 |
71.44 |
|
2005-6 |
84.06 |
73.50 |
|
Increase |
3.20 |
2.06 |