Data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that uptake of
the adolescent vaccines offered to 13 and 14 year olds who were
in school year 9 during the 2021 to 2022 academic year has
fallen, leaving many young people unprotected from
life-threatening diseases.
The teenage (Td/IPV) booster is the
last routine dose for tetanus, diphtheria and polio, and provides
young people with long-lasting protection into adulthood. The
MenACWY vaccine helps
protect young people against 4 types of meningococcal disease.
These rare but serious diseases can cause life-threatening
illness leading to hospitalisation, permanent disability and even
death.
Uptake of the Td/IPV and MenACWY vaccines for children in school
year 9 was 69%, around 7% lower than the previous year and well
below pre-pandemic levels (87.6% for Td/IPV and 88% for
MenACWY in the 2018 to 2019
academic year). The data suggests that the NHS has already caught
up many children who missed out on their vaccines, with
uptake improving to around 80% for children in year 10.
All the routine adolescent immunisation programmes have been
impacted by the pandemic and coverage is not back up to
pre-pandemic levels. UKHSA is urging parents and
guardians to ensure eligible young people are up to date with
their adolescent vaccines before they leave school.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:
Vaccines protecting against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and
meningococcal disease are offered to young people in school year
9 and are being delivered in schools right now. In recent years
we have seen vaccine uptake fall due to the challenges posed by
the pandemic. Many young people who missed out on their
vaccinations have already been caught up, but more needs to be
done to ensure all those eligible are vaccinated.
Children and young people who have missed out on
their teenage vaccines should contact their school nurse,
school immunisation team or GP surgery to arrange a catch-up.
These vaccines offer the best protection as young people start
their journey into adulthood and mixing more widely – whether
going to college, starting work, travelling or going to summer
festivals.
Health Minister said:
It’s fantastic to be supporting World Immunisation Week and I
encourage parents to ensure their children receive the routine
vaccinations they’re eligible for, including the vaccine for
meningitis and the 3-in-1 booster which protects against tetanus,
diptheria and polio.
It’s incredibly important for children to stay up to date with
routine vaccinations as this remains one of our best defences
against infectious diseases, not just for the person being
vaccinated but for their family, friends and those around them.
If your child is due for a vaccination, you don’t need to wait to
be contacted – speak to your school nurse, school immunisation
team or GP surgery to book an appointment.
Steve Russell, National Director for Vaccination and Screening,
said:
The 3-in-1 teenage booster and the MenACWY vaccination are extremely
well-researched and proven to provide protection against a range
of diseases that can cause serious illness.
NHS School Aged Immunisation Services offer these vaccinations in
secondary schools, as well as the HPV vaccination that protects
against a range of cancers and we strongly urge those eligible
and their family members and guardians to ensure they are up to
date, and if not to come forward for their vaccines as soon as
possible – it’s the best way to keep you protected.
