There are fears for Swindon and Wiltshire teenagers as vaccine uptake in the region has fallen, new figures show. 

Data published by UKHSA shows that uptake of the adolescent vaccines offered to 13 and 14 year olds who were in school Year 9 during the 2021 to 2022 academic year has fallen, leaving many young people in the South West unprotected from life-threatening diseases.

The 3-in-1 teenage booster (Td/IPV) is the last routine dose for tetanus, diphtheria, and polio, and provides young people with long-lasting protection into adulthood. The MenACWY vaccine helps protect young people against four types of meningococcal disease.

These rare but serious diseases can cause life-threatening illnesses leading to hospitalisation, permanent disability and even death.

In the 2021-2022 academic year, around 63 per cent of Year 9 pupils in the South West had the 3-in-1 teenage booster and 64 per cent received the MenACWY vaccine.

In the same academic year, the uptake rate improves for Year 10 pupils, with 73.5 per cent receiving the 3-in-1 booster and almost 74 per cent having the MenACWY vaccine.

All the routine adolescent immunisation programmes have been impacted by the pandemic and coverage is not back up to pre-pandemic levels, but the data suggests that the NHS has already caught up many children who missed out.

UKHSA South West is urging parents and guardians to ensure eligible young people are up to date with their vaccines before they leave school.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA said: “Vaccines protecting against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and meningococcal disease are offered to young people in school Year 9 and are being delivered in schools right now.

In recent years we have seen vaccine uptake fall due to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Many young people who missed out on their vaccinations have already been caught up, but more needs to be done to ensure all those eligible are vaccinated.

"Children and young people who have missed out on their teenage vaccines should contact their school nurse, school immunisation team or GP surgery to arrange a catch-up.

"These vaccines offer the best protection as young people start their journey into adulthood and mixing more widely - whether going to college, starting work, travelling or going to summer festivals.”

For more information about the routine vaccination schedule, visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/