THE Isle of Wight is behind the target for fully vaccinating children against measles, mumps and rubella before they turn five, figures show.
It means 150 children on the Island were not fully vaccinated against the trio of potentially life-threatening diseases by having the MMR vaccine by their fifth birthday last year, according to the latest childhood vaccination statistics.
The MMR jab protects against measles, mumps and rubella — all highly infectious conditions.
An NHS spokesperson urged parents to check their child's medical records and ensure immunisations were up to date, saying: “It’s vital parents ensure their children are fully protected with this jab — which can ultimately save a child’s life.”
For a child to be fully protected, they should receive two vaccinations, the first at the age of one and the second when they are three.
NHS Digital figures show 89 per cent of children on the Isle of Wight were fully vaccinated by their fifth birthday in 2020-21 — below the 95 per cent target set by the World Health Organisation. This equates to 150 children.
Across England, around 87 per cent of children had received both jabs by their fifth birthday.
The latest figures suggest significant disparities in vaccine uptake across local authority areas, with 96 per cent of five-year-olds fully vaccinated in County Durham compared to 60 per cent in Camden.
Measles, mumps and rubella can easily spread between unvaccinated people and can lead to serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.
In the past there has been resistance from some parents due to now debunked claims the jab was linked to autism.
The NHS says there's no evidence of any link between the MMR vaccine and autism, and there have been many studies that have investigated it.
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Read the rules here