Hampshire parents failing to get kids vaccinated
MANY parents in Portsmouth and south east Hampshire are failing to get their children immunised fully, figures show.
In Portsmouth 89 per cent of children aged two were given their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab.
But only 84 per cent of children had the booster shot when they were five.
Similarly in Hampshire 93 per cent of two-year-olds went for the first MMR vaccination, compared to 88 per cent when the child turns five.
In a bid to make sure children are protected from various bugs, the primary care trust cluster Ship, is asking parents to ensure they make GP appointments for inoculations.
Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, Portsmouth’s director of public health, said: ‘Childhood vaccinations are an extremely important, safe and effective way of preventing illness and death due to infectious disease in children.
‘Over the years vaccines have saved thousands of childrens’ lives and are widely seen as the second most-effective public health intervention behind the provision of clean water.
‘Protecting your child from these diseases is simple, you just need to make an appointment for your child each time they are invited for a vaccination.
‘It is important to remember many of these vaccinations need booster injections to ensure your child receives the full protection.
‘I would urge parents to be heroes and ensure their child receives every vaccination.’
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.