30.11.10
Increase in MMR vaccination coverage in England, report shows
he percentage of the English child population immunised with vaccines for diseases including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) is rising - but is still at a lower level than in other UK countries, an NHS Information Centre report shows today.
In 2009-10, 88.2 per cent of children in England had received the MMR vaccine by their second birthday, compared to 84.9 per cent in 2008-09, according to NHS Immunisation Statistics, England 2009-10.
The percentage continues to rise following a low of 79.9 per cent in 2003-04. However the current figure is still lower than the World Health Organisation (WHO) target of more than 95 per cent and compares to 92.2 per cent in Wales, 93.7 per cent in Scotland and 92.2 per cent in Northern Ireland.
Regionally in England, the highest percentage of children at two years vaccinated for MMR was in South Central Strategic Health Authority (SHA) at 91.4 per cent. The lowest percentage was in London SHA at 81.9 per cent.
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