By stewartb

Let me share some other positive insights on MMR immunisation, this time from a recent peer reviewed research paper:

Source: McQuaid F, Mulholland R, Sangpang Rai Y, Agrawal U, Bedford H, Cameron JC, et al. (2022) Uptake of infant and preschool immunisations in Scotland and England during the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study of routinely collected data. PLoS Med 19(2): e1003916. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003916

‘We found that early uptake of infant and preschool immunisations (within 4 weeks of a child becoming eligible) ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY FOR THE DURATION OF THE FIRST LOCKDOWN PERIOD IN SCOTLAND, RESULTING IN THOUSANDS MORE CHILDREN RECEIVING THEIR IMMUNISATIONS AT THE SCHEDULED TIME.

‘Encouragingly, POSITIVE RESULTS WERE SEEN ACROSS ALL LEVELS OF DEPRIVATION, though some geographical variations were observed across Scotland. IMPROVEMENT WAS ALSO SEEN IN LONGER TERM UPTAKE OF THE FIRST AND SECOND MMR IMMUNISATIONS (immunisation within 4 months of becoming eligible) in the lockdown period. Findings in England differed, with a small fall in longer-term uptake of immunisations observed for the lockdown period.’ (my emphasis)

The paper then provides insights into how/why these positive outcomes in Scotland were achieved:

‘Jarchow-MacDonald and colleagues [24] from NHS Lothian (which consists of HSCPs Edinburgh, West Lothian, East Lothian, and Midlothian) have suggested that ENSURING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF IMMUNISATION CENTRES, EITHER BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT OR BY PROVIDING MOBILE SERVICES TO SHIELDING FAMILIES, was important in maintaining uptake during the pandemic, as was DIRECTLY COMMUNICATING WITH FAMILIES WITH A PREAPPOINTMENT PHONE CALL and REMINDER POSTCARDS. This GAVE FAMILIES AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE IMMUNISATION WITH A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL, a strategy that has been showed to be important in addressing parental concerns [25]. In fact, THE REMINDER ALONE MAY HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO ATTEND THE FIRST APPOINTMENT [26].

‘THE CLEAR COMMITMENT OF THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN THE IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME WAS ALSO FELT TO BE AN IMPORTANT FACTOR [24].’

‘In this study, we observed that the national lockdown in Scotland was associated with an increase in timely childhood immunisation uptake; however, in England, uptake fell slightly. REASONS FOR THE IMPROVED UPTAKE IN SCOTLAND MAY INCLUDE ACTIVE MEASURES TAKEN TO PROMOTE IMMUNISATION AT LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVELS DURING THIS PERIOD AND SHOULD BE EXPLORED FURTHER.’

The BBC Radio 4 Today programme (20 January) had a lengthy interview with one health professional and one health research professor, both based in England. The discussion repeatedly referred to (in terms) ‘national’, ‘country-wide’ and discussed actions required to increase uptake of the MMR vaccination as it had reached dangerously low levels. One of the interviewees complained about a major reduction in the number of health visitors. One of the interviewees encouraged listeners to use the ‘NHS App’ to contact their GP about a making vaccination appointment for their child.

No explanation from anyone involved as to the scope of the discussion – UK-wide or just England. No acknowledgement of substantial differences in MMR take-up rates across the UK – (and of course) no acknowledgement that useful lessons might be gained by examining what’s been done in NI, Scotland or Wales. (Did these experts know about the research paper referenced above?)

And there was no attempt to inform listeners – in a broadcast to a UK-wide audience – that the recommended ‘NHS App’ is an England-only facility: to use it you need ‘to be registered with a GP surgery in England or the Isle of Man’ (according to UK Government information).