29/09/2006

More parents opting for MMR jabs

The number of children being given the combined mumps, measles and rubella vaccination has increased for the second year running, according to the latest figures.

The figures from the government's Information Centre showed that 84% of two-year-olds had the MMR jab in 2005-2006 - an increase from 81% in 2004-2005.

Uptake of the vaccine dropped to 80% after the jab was linked to autism in the late Nineties.

The figures also showed that the number of two-year-olds being vaccinated against diptheria, tetanus and polio - which is given as a combined injection - has remained unchanged for the past five years, staying steady at 94%.

However, this is a drop from 96% since 1995.

Uptake of immunisations for whooping cough and Hib have also seen little change over the past ten years, remaining at around 94%.

The World Health Organisation recommends that at least 95% of children receive three primary doses of diptheria, tetanus, polio and pertussis in the first year of life; that at least 95% receive a first dose of a mumps containing vaccine age age 12 - 18 months; and that at least 95% receive a measles vaccine by one year of age.

(KMcA)

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