The NHS is urging Cambridgeshire parents and guardians to get their children protected from MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) after vaccination rates fell across the county in 2024.

In data published by NHS England, it shows that the percentage of children in Cambridgeshire to have received both of their MMR vaccinations by their fifth birthday from 2023/24 is 89.2 per cent. This is down 0.01 per cent from 2022/23.

In Peterborough, the number of children sits at 76.6 per cent, which is up 0.09 per cent from 2022/23.

To put this in a national context, out of 149 local authority areas, Cambridgeshire ranks 38th in the number of children fully vaccinated by their fifth birthday. Peterborough ranks 125th, coming in as one of the lowest areas were children are fully vaccinated.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board has recognised that there has been a fall in vaccination rates over the past year and has stated that it wants to make it, "as easy as possible" for children to get their jabs.

A spokesperson for the NHS organisation said: "We want to make it as easy as possible for parents and carers to get their children vaccinated against MMR. 

"That's why we regularly host walk-in clinics alongside routine bookable vaccination clinic, particularly during school holidays when it is generally easier for parents and carers to take their child to get protected."

In the East of England, 177 confirmed cases of measles were recorded from January 1, 2024 to September 9, 2024. Of the 177 cases, 77 were in children under five years old.

The spokesperson from the Integrated Care Board pled with caregivers: "These three very infectious diseases can cause severe health problems, including meningitis, blindness and hearing loss.

"Please help protect your child from getting very seriously ill by making sure they get both doses of the MMR vaccine when they are eligible."