Vaccination rates up in Wales
3 Sep 2010 12:51 PM
The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell welcomes new figures which show that there has been an increase in the number of children receiving free routine vaccinations which protect people for life.
The new figures published by the Assembly Government show an increase in the number of children receiving vaccinations which protect against 11 individual, life-threatening diseases.
Dr Jewell is also continuing to urge parents to ensure they have their children vaccinated, as this is the simplest and most effective way of protecting them against potentially life-threatening conditions.
The latest figures show that more than 95 per cent of children who reached their first birthday in the year ending 31 March 2010 were immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, meningitis C, haemophilus influenza type B (Hib), and pneumococcal. Coverage in children aged two years stands at 97 per cent for these vaccines.
The national uptake for the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine which helps protect girls from developing cervical cancer when they are older is continuing to rise, with 85.3 per cent of girls aged 12-17 having all three required doses.
More than 92 per cent of one year olds had the vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), an increase on the previous year.
Dr Jewell said:
"We welcome the latest immunisation figures. They are testament to the efforts of health professionals as well as the impact of the Wales-wide measles outbreak. It is reassuring to see parents are protecting their children from these preventable diseases.
"While the figures have increased, there is still room for improvement. It's important that parents remain vigilant. Measles, for example, is an extremely serious disease and the only way to guarantee protection is through the MMR vaccination.
“Uptake across Wales has also increased for the seasonal flu vaccination but people over 65, and those who are younger with chronic conditions, should still be vaccinated for seasonal flu in the lead up to winter.
“People often think that flu is just a bad cold, but it is more severe and can cause serious complications. It is also worth noting that even if you have had the seasonal flu vaccine in previous years, you will need to have it again this year as the flu viruses change year on year and the vaccine changes to reflect this.
Health Minister Edwina Hart said:
“We know that prevention is better than cure and this applies more than ever to the use of vaccines - which the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates saves 3 million lives worldwide every year.
“Our focus in investing in vaccines is to protect the health of individuals, people in the wider community as well as easing pressure on the NHS in the long-term.”