Vaccine warning for England as one in five children start school unprotected

The news article highlights a concerning issue regarding vaccination rates among children in England. According to the World Health Organization, the target vaccination rate to achieve herd immunity is 95%, but the latest figures show that no childhood vaccine in England has met this requirement. Experts have warned that the country needs a "wake-up call" as one in five children start primary school unprotected from serious infectious diseases. The data released by the UK Health Security Agency for the 2024-25 period indicates that vaccination levels are far below the necessary threshold for herd immunity. The article underscores the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect children and the broader population from the spread of infectious diseases. Experts are calling for urgent action to address the faltering infant vaccination programme and ensure that the necessary steps are taken to improve vaccination coverage in England.