Health Committee responds to pre-school vaccination report

Since 2012-13, nearly-all pre-school vaccination rates have declined, with considerable regional variance and particularly low levels in London. 

NHS England and PHE have identified several causes for this decline, but cannot say which is having the greatest impact. NHS England and PHE also do not know the relative impact of each potential cause. 

Dr Sarah Wollaston, Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, said:  

“I welcome the NAO’s report on this extremely important issue for millions of parents and children. The decline in vaccination rates for children in recent years is worrying as is the degree of variation. My Committee will be questioning the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Public Health England at a hearing in November to press them on their plans to protect children and their wider communities by improving the uptake of vaccinations.”