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UK Parents Could Face 'Action' For Refusing To Vaccinate Their Children

UK Parents Could Face 'Action' For Refusing To Vaccinate Their Children

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that the drop in immunisation rates was 'unacceptable' adding that 'everyone has a role to play'

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

UK parents could face action if they don't vaccinate their children following a fall in the take-up rates for key, NHS-recommended vaccinations for the first time on record.

NHS Digital published statistics for administered vaccinations to children under five years old and found there was a decrease in England in 2018-2019 compared to the previous year.

This is something that Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock said is 'unacceptable' adding that 'everyone has a role to play in halting this decline'.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock leaving Downing Street.
PA

He told The Sun: "The loss of our measles free status is a stark reminder that devastating diseases can, and will, resurface.

"We need to be bold and I will not rule out action so that every child is properly protected."

According to the publication, proposals are now being considered by minsters to reverse the decline by making the vaccinations mandatory. This could see children being banned from school for not having the jabs, something Mr Hancock has refused to rule out in recent months.

Measles vaccination being administered.
PA

The NHS statistics come a month after the UK lost its World Health Organisation 'measles-free' status.

The infection rate is rising with 532 cases in the first half of this year, compared to 259 in the entirety of 2017, according to Public Health England.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, told The Sun: "Vaccines are a vital, life-saving part of our country's public health and the numbers of children not being vaccinated is concerning.

"No one should be complacent about getting their own or their child's jabs and so the NHS is taking action, with its partners, to combat the decline and to reverse the dangerous effects of complacency about vaccines."

Paramedic Brendan Peat went viral after encouraging people to get vaccinated.
Brendan Peat/Facebook

Last month a Kiwi paramedic Brendan Peat went viral after he pleaded with people to get themselves and their children vaccinated, ignoring ill-informed advice that can be found on the internet.

The New Zealander took to Facebook sharing a picture of himself sitting in the back of an ambulance with a body suit and mask on holding a sign saying: "Please vaccinate."

He wrote: "Time for a plug as the outbreak slowly turns towards an epidemic, another one tonight. 616 cases of measles this year, with over 400 in counties Manukau affecting mostly 0-4yrs and 15-29yr olds.

"Please trust science, and vaccinate not only kids but adults too against such an easy preventable disease which is proven safe and effective.

"Middlemore now has a specific measles ward seeing three new cases a day. The air con has been turned off in the kids department in an attempt to prevent the spread."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: uk news, News