London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Feb 13, 2025

Teenagers at risk after drop in vaccine take-up

Teenagers at risk after drop in vaccine take-up

Teenagers could be at risk of rare diseases after a drop-off in vaccinations during the Covid pandemic, UK health officials are warning.
In 2021-22, 69% of 13 and 14-year-olds received a jab protecting against tetanus, diphtheria and polio - down 7% on the previous year.

Another vaccine, against meningitis, also saw a similar fall in uptake.

Parents are being urged to make sure young people are up to date with their vaccines before they leave school.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said many of those who had missed out on vaccines because of school closures in the pandemic had now been immunised.

But vaccine coverage remains below pre-pandemic levels.

UKHSA consultant epidemiologist Dr Vanessa Saliba said children and young people who had 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," she said.

The three-in-one booster against tetanus, diphtheria and polio is free on the NHS to all 14-year-olds, through their school.

It is also given to babies at eight weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks old, and before they go to school. All five doses are crucial for building up long-term protection.

The MenACWY vaccine is also routinely offered to teenagers of the same age, but anyone up to the age of 25 can still get it through their GP. It protects against four strains of meningitis.

Before the pandemic, uptake for these vaccines was nearly 88% in England, but latest figures show that dipped to 69% for 13 to 14-year-olds in 2021-22.

Uptake among Year 10 school pupils, who are aged 14 to 15, was higher at about 78% which shows more children are catching up on missed jabs.

Steve Russell, national director for vaccination and screening, said the vaccines were "extremely well-researched" and proven to provide protection against a range of serious diseases.

The HPV vaccine is also offered in secondary schools and protects against a range of cancers.

"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," he said.

Last week the UN agency Unicef said there were worrying signs that confidence in life-saving childhood vaccines was slipping worldwide, partly because of vaccine hesitancy and disinformation.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Incredible News for the USA and Beyond: Gabbard Appointed as U.S. Intelligence Chief in Trump's Recent Triumph!
UK Business Leaders Expect Profit Increase Despite Regulatory Crackdown on the Shadow Economy
US Teacher Detained in Russia Freed Amid Optimism for Improved US-Russia Relations
EU-UK Security Pact Unhindered by Fishing Rights Dispute, Says EU President
Tories Criticize Proposed Chagos Islands Sovereignty Transfer Amid Escalating Cost Claims
World Leaders Promote Ethical and Inclusive AI Governance at Paris Summit
Deloitte US Revises Policies in Response to Evolving Political Climate
Apple Releases Critical Security Update Following Reports of Vulnerabilities
US Senate Moves Forward with Tulsi Gabbard's Nomination for Director of National Intelligence.
Israel Warns of Ending Gaza Ceasefire Amid Hostage Situation
King Abdullah II Dismisses US Proposal to Relocate Palestinians, Commits to Welcoming Children from Gaza.
Sam Altman Addresses Elon Musk's Offer to Acquire OpenAI
OpenAI Reconfirms Its Independence After Musk's $97 Billion Offer.
Elon Musk Cautions That the U.S. Could Face Bankruptcy Without Reductions in Federal Spending.
How Spain Transformed from High Unemployment to Eurozone Growth Leader
FEMA Allocated Fifty-Nine Million Dollars to House Illegal Migrants in Luxury Hotels, Triggers Investigation
Australian Billionaires Set to Encounter New Wealth Tax Under Greens Initiative
U.S. Secret Service Invests Two Million Dollars in High-Quality, Effective Recruitment Ad Directed by Michael Bay
MPs to Receive Proposed 2.8% Pay Increase, Raising Salaries to £93,904 – It’s Legal, and That’s Exactly the Problem
The European Union Shifts Focus to AI Innovation Amid Global Competition (or at least this is what they claim)
Europe's far-right leaders pledge to 'reclaim' the continent in the wake of Trump's reelection.
Keir Starmer Under Examination Regarding His Legal Strategy
Merz and Scholz Spar Over Migration and Economic Strategies in Pre-Election Discussion
"Marrow stupid": Senator John Kennedy Blasts UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Over Chagos Islands Transfer
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK Surge Reshapes Electoral Dynamics
Kemi Badenoch Faces Internal Criticism After 100 Days as Tory Leader
Campaigners Urge UK to Apologise for Forced Adoptions
Church of England Upholds Traditional Eucharistic Elements Amid Calls for Alternatives
Rayner Defends Approach at Grenfell Tower Meeting Amid Dismantling Plan
China Implements Tit-for-Tat Tariffs on US Goods Amid Trade Escalation
Italy and Wales Set for Six Nations Clash at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico
Ministry of Justice Apologises Over Prisoner Early Release Letter Error
Rare First Edition Harry Potter Book Sells for Over Twenty-One Thousand Pounds
Drax Power Station Under Scrutiny for Incomplete Wood Sourcing Reporting
UK Government Reaffirms Pledge to Build 1.5 Million New Homes by 2029
Freed Israeli Hostage Learns of Family's Death After Release from Gaza
French President Macron Employs Deepfake Technology to Advocate for AI Summit
Trump Names Musk to Investigate Government Fraud Amidst Controversy
Police Stop Ed Sheeran's Street Performance in Bengaluru
FBI Alerts Smartphone Users About Toll Scam Threat
Australian Educator Declares Identity as a Cat, Sparking Parental Backlash
Kremlin Addresses Claims of Trump-Putin Phone Conversation in Light of Ukraine Crisis
Trump Connects with Putin to Address the Ukraine Crisis
Super Bowl Ad Prices Soar to Record Highs Amid Streaming Surge
China Achieves 2030 Solar Energy Targets Early, Cuts Subsidies for Renewable Energy
Trump Signs Executive Order Prioritizing White South African Refugees
Europe Faces Growing Security Concerns and Trump's New Demands on Ukraine
Trump Revokes Security Clearances of Biden Officials, Including Blinken and Sullivan
Justin Bieber Sparks Concern as New Footage Raises Health Fears
European Right-Wing Leaders Celebrate Trump’s Impact on Global Politics
×