UK: More Than Half a Million Children Missed Measles Vaccine Between 2010–2017

Globally, the report shows, 169 million children were not given a first dose of measles vaccine between 2010 and 2017.

UK: More Than Half a Million Children Missed Measles Vaccine Between 2010–2017
Children in UK. Representational image. (Photo Credits: Getty Images)

London, April 25: More than half a million children in the UK were not given a crucial measles jab between 2010 and 2017, an analysis by children's charity the Unicef reveals. Health experts say children should have two doses of the vaccine to fully protect against the disease, which is a highly infectious viral illness that can lead to serious health complications, including infections of the lungs and brain that can be fatal.

According to the Unicef, a mixture of complacency, misinformation, scepticism about immunisations, and a lack of access to jabs has led to inadequate vaccination rates globally, the BBC said. US Eliminated Measles in 2000, But Now Its Back With A Vengeance as Children Miss Vaccination Doses.

It comes as National Health Service (NHS) chief Simon Stevens warned measles cases had almost quadrupled in England in just one year and urged families to get the vaccine. He said people rejecting vaccines was a "growing public health time bomb", the BBC reported.

Globally, the report shows, 169 million children were not given a first dose of measles vaccine between 2010 and 2017.

The Unicef report shows that between 2010 and 2017:

The US topped the list for the number of unvaccinated children in high-income countries, with 2,593,000 missing the first dose of the vaccine

The comparable figure for France was 600,000

The UK came third, with 527,000 children not getting their first dose of the vaccine over the seven-year period

In Nigeria, four million children under one did not get the first dose of the vaccine

The figures for the second dose of the measles vaccine "were even more alarming", the Unicef has said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 25, 2019 08:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).


You Might Also Like

UNICEF Day 2024 Date, History and Significance: Everything To Know About UNICEF Foundation Day To Mark the Establishment of the UN Organisation

International UNICEF Day 2024 Quotes: Share These Messages, HD Wallpapers, Images, Sayings and Greetings To Commemorate UNICEF’s Birthday

What Is Kawasaki Disease? ‘Bigg Boss 17’ Winner Munawar Faruqui Reveals Diagnosis of Son Mikhail’s Rare Health Condition

Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes Major Contributors to Health Challenges in Military, Says Rajnath Singh

Share Us