By stewartb

You may be interested to learn the following about childhood vaccination take-up rates.

Source: NHS England (28 Sep 2023) Childhood Vaccination Coverage Statistics, England, 2022-23. 

See the section of the report entitled ‘Coverage in UK countries – 2022-23’: it has a table which displays the latest annual (2022-23) coverage values for all childhood vaccinations across the four UK countries. Overwhelmingly, the take-up rates in Scotland are the highest of any UK country across the full range of childhood vaccinations.

(See https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-immunisation-statistics/england-2022-23/6in-1-vaccine  )

To prevent whooping cough, the childhood disease in the news today from England, the relevant vaccine is termed the ‘6-in-1’. This is what the NHS England table reveals:

‘Coverage’ – i.e.. take-up – at age 12 months:  England = 91.8%; Scotland = 95.5%

Coverage at age 24 months: England = 92.6%; Scotland = 96.5%.

I have two ‘takes’ on this: (i) Scotland like everywhere else cannot – and I suspect will not – be complacent about take-up rates; and (ii) this is just one more piece of evidence on the relative effectiveness of Scotland’s health services – so different from what Unionist politicians and their MSM allies portray in their gaslighting of Scotland’s electorate!