Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to the decline in nearly all pre-school vaccinations, said:

“This report is a serious wake up call. Labour has long warned of falling vaccination rates.

“A decade of funding squeezes imposed on general practice, cuts to public health and falling health visitors numbers is putting children at risk of very serious illness.

“The health and wellbeing of children should be a priority for ministers. As this report suggests, parents need consistent reminders and better access to vaccine appointments. But the government also needs to properly fund services as a whole to help tackle this vital issue.”

Ends

Notes to Editors: