A wake-up call for the NHS: Experts and MPs are raising the alarm about the rising measles risk for children, pointing to a clear failure in the system to ensure adequate MMR vaccine coverage.
The situation is dire, with vaccination rates in some areas of England now on par with countries like Afghanistan and Malawi. This has led to an inevitable outbreak of measles in North London, with public health specialists fearing more to come.
In Enfield, where a recent outbreak has hospitalized 15 children out of 60 cases, the MMR vaccination rate stands at a mere 64.3%. This is lower than the rates in Malawi and Afghanistan, and significantly below the 95% recommended by the World Health Organization.
The outbreak has sparked concerns about the potential brain and lung damage, meningitis, blindness, and even death that measles can cause. To address this, five catch-up clinics have been set up to vaccinate children who missed their doses.
But here's where it gets controversial... The NHS has been accused of complacency, as the number of fully vaccinated five-year-olds has declined from 88.2% to 83.7% over the last decade. Ministers are now under pressure to allow pharmacies to administer MMR jabs to infants, supplementing the efforts of GP surgeries and schools.
In England, GP staff primarily deliver the first and second MMR doses to children at 12 and 18 months, with schools also hosting catch-up events. However, Ben Coleman, a Labour MP, argues that this system is failing, putting children at risk of hospitalization and even death.
And this is the part most people miss... Under-vaccination poses serious public health risks, and the NHS needs to acknowledge that GPs and schools alone cannot achieve the 95% coverage recommended by the WHO. Pharmacies, which families frequently visit, are being overlooked as a valuable resource.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, along with the National Pharmacy Association, supports the idea of involving pharmacies in the vaccination rollout. Professor Steve Turner believes this could make vaccination more accessible and convenient for parents.
Helen Bedford, a vaccination expert, agrees that pharmacies could supplement existing NHS efforts, especially since some schools, including faith schools, do not participate in catch-up campaigns.
So, what's the hold-up? Coleman suggests that NHS bosses may be complacent about the falling MMR uptake. During a hearing, Dr. Mary Ramsay admitted that opposition from GPs to pharmacies taking on their role is a challenge.
The Department of Health and Social Care has not indicated whether pharmacies will start delivering MMR jabs, but Superdrug has expressed willingness to do so if asked.
Professor Andrew Pollard warns of the risk of further spread in London, as the virus can easily circulate in communities with vaccination rates below 95%. He emphasizes the cyclical nature of outbreaks, which will continue to occur as long as there are unvaccinated children.
A spokesperson for the DHSC urges anyone unvaccinated to get the MMR vaccine as soon as possible, emphasizing the protection it provides not only to the individual but also to the community.
The Bottom Line: The NHS must take urgent action to address the declining MMR vaccination rates and protect children's health. The involvement of pharmacies could be a crucial step in achieving the necessary coverage and preventing future outbreaks.
