Health chiefs in East Renfrewshire eager for vaccine uptake to remain high

Parents are being urged to ensure their children receive their vaccinations, ensuring they are protected against many serious and infectious diseases.

Immunisation uptake rates for children remained high in 2019 across the East Renfrewshire area, and health chiefs are keen to see this continue throughout 2020 despite the coronavirus pandemic.

For babies up to 12 months old, the uptake of the majority of vaccines was 97 per cent.

These were the PCV (pneumococcal) vaccine, MenB (meningitis) vaccine and the 6-in-1 vaccine, which protects against diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib disease and hepatitis B.

Only the uptake of the Rotavirus was slightly down, at 95 per cent, as this must be given in a short time window.

Uptake of the vaccines for 1-2 year-olds across East Renfrewshire was between 97.5 and 99 per cent.

And the uptake of vaccines for children up to five years old was between 96.5 and 98 per cent.

Children in Scotland are protected through immunisation against many serious infectious diseases.

Vaccination programmes aim both to protect the individual and to prevent thespread of these diseases within the wider population.

As a public health measure, immunisations are very effective in reducing the burden of disease.

Therefore it is important that children continue to be vaccinated throughout the coronavirus outbreak

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “I’m pleased to see childhood immunisation rates remain very high, reflecting both the hard work and commitment of our colleagues in the NHS and a recognition among parents and carers of the benefits of vaccination.

“I want to remind all parents and carers of the importance of getting their children vaccinated throughout the coronavirus outbreak.

“Your GP or health board will still be available to do this and it is advised that you keep these appointments.”

For more information about vaccines, go to Health Scotland - Immunisation