Childhood vaccine uptake in England fell again across all 14 measures tracked by the NHS in the past year, the annual report has shown.

No vaccines met the 95% target for coverage, the data for 2023/24 shows and particular concerns were raised about uptake of key vaccines by five years of age.

The further declines in uptake come despite ongoing pleas from public health experts for parents to have their children immunised amidst outbreaks of whooping cough and measles.

Ongoing downward trends have been noted for several vaccines including the 6-in1 jab which fell from 91.8% to 91.2% uptake by 12 months in 2023/24.

But the data also points to national disparities with the North East being the only region to hit the 95% target compared with London where only 86.2% of one year olds had been vaccinated.

Uptake of the 6-in-1 by the age of five years is now at 92.6% – its lowest level since 2008/09 and following a decade of hitting the 95% target until the pandemic.

The first dose of MMR has now been under 90% nationally for three years in a row, the figures show and uptake of the second dose has also declined in all regions.

Wales and Scotland continue to have better rates of uptake including hitting World Health Organisation targets with 95% or above for the 6-in-1 vaccine.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) officials renewed calls for parents to check their child’s vaccination record.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, said: ‘As a mum and doctor, I know the additional stress that comes with having a sick child.

‘I encourage all parents to take up the offer of vaccinations for their children at the right time, to give them the best protection from preventable diseases.

Childhood vaccines prevent babies and children from suffering needlessly and can even be life-saving.’

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health called on the government to implement the commitments made in the NHS Vaccine Strategy.

RCPCH Officer for Health Services, Dr Helen Stewart, said: ‘The result of this trend is being felt already, with measles outbreaks occurring across the UK, increasing cases of whooping cough and poliovirus being found sewage samples in London.

‘When investigating NHS services, the recently published Darzi Review noted the impact declining vaccine uptake is having on our children and called for urgent action.

‘We understand that vaccine hesitancy may be an issue in some instances, but evidence shows that accessibility and availability of health appointments plays a huge role in low uptake.

‘We urge the UK Government to take forward the commitments of the NHS’s vaccine strategy and work towards reversing this dangerous trend.’

In February, NHS England (NHSE) announced it was launching 12 ‘demonstrator sites’ to test ‘new and innovative’ models of vaccination delivery.

And community pharmacy leaders have called for an expansion of pharmacy-based vaccination services, including in delivering childhood vaccinations.

Community pharmacists also spoke out against the decision by the NHS in London to exclude pharmacies from the delivery of polio catch-up vaccines to primary school children in the capital last year.

A version of this article first appeared on our sister site Pulse.