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UK Health Warning: 1 in 4 Birmingham Starters Unprotected
2 Sep
Summary
- Over 25% of Birmingham 5-year-olds lack full MMR vaccination.
- Birmingham ranks last in the West Midlands for MMR coverage.
- UKHSA urges parents to ensure children receive timely vaccinations.
As the new school year begins, concerning figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that more than a quarter of five-year-olds entering school in Birmingham this autumn have not received their full MMR vaccination.
These new statistics place Birmingham at the lowest point among local authorities in the West Midlands, with only 74.1% of children having completed both doses of the MMR jab. This contrasts sharply with areas like Shropshire, which reports 90.4% coverage. Even a single dose of the MMR vaccine provides up to 93% protection against these serious diseases.
Furthermore, the data indicates that eight out of every 100 five-year-olds have not received any vaccinations at all. The UKHSA is issuing a strong call to action, urging parents across the region to ensure their children are up-to-date with their vaccinations to protect them from a range of preventable infections.
