Health and Me

Itisha Arya

Choosing Not To Vaccinate Your Child? NHS Doctor Issues Fresh Warning To Parents

vaccination child nhs warning

When a child is born, parents must decide whether to vaccinate them against a range of preventable illnesses. While immunisations are not mandatory, health authorities strongly recommend them to protect both individual children and the wider community. Some professions, particularly in healthcare, require certain vaccinations as a condition of work.

<h2>UK Childhood Vaccination Rates Are Falling</h2>

Since 2022, no childhood vaccine in the UK has reached the World Health Organization’s recommended 95 per cent uptake, which is crucial for safeguarding vulnerable populations. As a result, preventable diseases like measles are making a comeback.

What’s Driving The Decline In Vaccination

Several factors contribute to falling vaccination rates. Parents may worry about safety, distrust healthcare systems, or follow religious or philosophical beliefs, such as preferring “natural immunity.” Access issues, like difficulties booking GP appointments, have also played a role, according to a BBC report. A malfunctioning NHS IT system has left thousands of children without appointment letters for essential vaccines.

<h2>NHS Doctor Issues Urgent Reminder</h2>

As per Mirror, NHS GP Dr Bhasha Mukherjee has shared a crucial message for parents. “Every parent wants to keep their child safe,” she wrote. “But here’s what the data reveals about the real risks today.” Dr Mukherjee highlighted that fewer children receiving full immunisation is directly linked to a surge in vaccine-preventable diseases. “This isn’t theoretical – it’s happening right now,” she added.

In 2024, confirmed measles cases in the UK jumped to nearly 3,000, compared with just 367 in 2023, marking the highest annual figure since 2012. Most cases were children aged one to four and five to ten, with 710 and 730 cases respectively, according to the UK Health Security Agency. Global data also shows over 10 million measles cases in 2023, a 20 per cent increase from 2022, linked directly to drops in routine vaccination coverage.

<h2>Whooping Cough and Other Illnesses Are Also Resurfacing</h2>

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is rising too. In England alone, more than 14,000 lab-confirmed cases were recorded in 2024, including hundreds among infants under three months old – the age group most vulnerable to severe illness. Sadly, several deaths were reported. Other diseases, like polio, are also reappearing in regions where children are missing essential jabs.

Many parents fear side effects, but Dr Mukherjee emphasised the dangers of avoiding vaccination. “Diseases like measles can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation, hearing loss, long-term disability, or even death,” she said. “Vaccines aren’t perfect, but high coverage protects the whole community, especially infants and children with weakened immune systems.”

MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination rates in 2023–24 were 88.9 per cent, far short of the 95 per cent needed to prevent outbreaks. Dr Mukherjee warns that this shortfall is driving a resurgence in these serious illnesses.

Choosing not to vaccinate increases your child’s risk of catching real, rising threats – and contributes to outbreaks that put many other children at risk too,” Dr Mukherjee concluded.

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When a child is born, parents must decide whether to vaccinate them against a range of preventable illnesses. While immunisations are not mandatory, health authorities strongly recommend them to protect both individual children and the wider community. Some professions, particularly in healthcare, require certain vaccinations as a condition of work.UK Childhood Vaccination Rates Are FallingSince 2022, no childhood vaccine in the UK has reached the World Health Organization’s recommended 95 per cent uptake, which is crucial for safeguarding vulnerable populations. As a result, preventable diseases like measles are making a comeback.What’s Driving The Decline In VaccinationSeveral factors contribute to falling vaccination rates. Parents may worry about safety, distrust healthcare systems, or follow religious or philosophical beliefs, such as preferring “natural immunity.” Access issues, like difficulties booking GP appointments, have also played a role, according to a BBC report. A malfunctioning NHS IT system has left thousands of children without appointment letters for essential vaccines.NHS Doctor Issues Urgent ReminderAs per Mirror, NHS GP Dr Bhasha Mukherjee has shared a crucial message for parents. “Every parent wants to keep their child safe,” she wrote. “But here’s what the data reveals about the real risks today.” Dr Mukherjee highlighted that fewer children receiving full immunisation is directly linked to a surge in vaccine-preventable diseases. “This isn’t theoretical – it’s happening right now,” she added.Measles Cases On The RiseIn 2024, confirmed measles cases in the UK jumped to nearly 3,000, compared with just 367 in 2023, marking the highest annual figure since 2012. Most cases were children aged one to four and five to ten, with 710 and 730 cases respectively, according to the UK Health Security Agency. Global data also shows over 10 million measles cases in 2023, a 20 per cent increase from 2022, linked directly to drops in routine vaccination coverage.Whooping Cough and Other Illnesses Are Also ResurfacingPertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is rising too. In England alone, more than 14,000 lab-confirmed cases were recorded in 2024, including hundreds among infants under three months old – the age group most vulnerable to severe illness. Sadly, several deaths were reported. Other diseases, like polio, are also reappearing in regions where children are missing essential jabs.Why Vaccines Are Still CrucialMany parents fear side effects, but Dr Mukherjee emphasised the dangers of avoiding vaccination. “Diseases like measles can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation, hearing loss, long-term disability, or even death,” she said. “Vaccines aren’t perfect, but high coverage protects the whole community, especially infants and children with weakened immune systems.”MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination rates in 2023–24 were 88.9 per cent, far short of the 95 per cent needed to prevent outbreaks. Dr Mukherjee warns that this shortfall is driving a resurgence in these serious illnesses.Choosing not to vaccinate increases your child’s risk of catching real, rising threats – and contributes to outbreaks that put many other children at risk too,” Dr Mukherjee concluded.