Vaccination remains one of the most effective public health interventions in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and reducing morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the UK, the NHS offers a comprehensive vaccinations schedule, yet uptake rates have not always met national targets, with numbers falling for some vaccines within the last decade leading to infections beginning to spread again where they had previously been under control.
This is an issue all health care professionals need to be aware of and should strive to support patients to access appropriate information and vaccination appointments.
Why vaccination uptake matters
Vaccines protect not only individuals but also communities by achieving herd immunity, reducing the likelihood of outbreaks, and safeguarding vulnerable populations who cannot be immunised. High uptake rates are essential to maintain this protection and prevent the resurgence of diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella.
Herd immunity occurs when a large proportion of the population is vaccinated, making it much more difficult for infectious diseases to spread. This is even among those who have not been immunised—such as infants, people with certain medical conditions, or those undergoing treatments that weaken the immune system. Collective immunity acts as a barrier, indirectly shielding those who are most at risk of severe illness or complications.
When vaccination rates fall below the recommended threshold, the protective effect of herd immunity is compromised. This can lead to outbreaks of diseases that were previously well controlled or even eliminated in the UK. For example, a decline in measles vaccination coverage has led to renewed outbreaks in communities where uptake has been particularly low. Such outbreaks not only endanger vulnerable groups but also place additional strain on the NHS and public health infrastructure.
High vaccination uptake helps to limit the economic and social costs associated with infectious diseases. It reduces hospital admissions, prevents time lost from work and education, and lowers the risk of long-term complications associated with vaccine-preventable illnesses. Ultimately, maintaining robust vaccination coverage is a shared responsibility, critical for the wellbeing of both individuals and the whole of our society.
The current state of vaccination uptake in the UK
Vaccination rates across the UK are still below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity, and they're continuing to drop. In the second quarter of 2025, vaccinations for children aged 0–5 declined by 0.2% to 0.4%. The uptake of the MMR vaccine shows significant regional differences, ranging from as low as 65% up to 88.2%, and has noticeably fallen over the last 10 years. These reduced vaccination levels have led to a rise in vaccine preventable diseases being diagnosed with 772 measles cases identified in 2025 so far, including 1 death of a child who had contracted measles.
There has also been a sharp increase in the number of whooping cough (pertussis) diagnosis in 2024 across all age groups with 11 reported infant deaths. This has coincided with a reduction in the uptake of the maternal whooping cough vaccination.
The role of health care professionals (HCPs)
All health care professionals including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, health visitors, and allied health staff play a crucial role in promoting vaccination. Their responsibilities extend beyond administering vaccines to educating patients, addressing vaccine hesitancy, and ensuring that accurate information is disseminated across communities.
- Trusted advisors: Patients often look to HCPs for credible advice. A strong recommendation from an HCP is one of the most influential factors in a patient’s decision to vaccinate.
- Identifying gaps: Routine interactions with patients provide opportunities to review vaccination records and offer catch-up vaccinations where necessary.
- Addressing hesitancy: HCPs are in a unique position to answer questions, dispel myths, and provide reassurance about vaccine safety and efficacy.
- Community outreach: Professionals working in community settings can reach underserved populations and help reduce health inequalities.
Vaccination uptake is not solely the duty of immunisation nurses or GPs; it is a collective responsibility that requires a coordinated approach across the entire health care system. When all professionals are engaged, they can:
- Normalise vaccination as a routine part of health care.
- Increase public confidence in vaccines through consistent messaging.
- Ensure that no opportunities are missed to offer or recommend vaccinations.
- Reach a broader segment of the population, including those who rarely engage with health services.
- Delivering a consistent message that vaccinations are safe and effective by addressing vaccinations at all medical appointments.
What can you do to help incorporate vaccinations into your daily conversations?
- Have a display of vaccination information in waiting rooms, order vaccination leaflets to share with patients and update these regularly.
- Have a designated immunisation lead who is responsible for updating information and cascading updates to the rest of the staff. Promote a whole service approach and discuss vaccinations at regular team meetings.
- Attend immunisation training on a regular basis, ensuring you keep up to date with the most recent changes.
- Develop an electronic resource folder for more information about vaccinations to share with service users.
- Communicate with other services about supporting hesitant parents to access the support they need.
Improving vaccination uptake in the UK is imperative, especially in light of recent declines and the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. Every health care professional, regardless of their role or specialism, has a part to play in this public health effort. By working together, the health care community can protect individuals, safeguard communities, and uphold the UK’s strong legacy of immunisation.
References:
- UK Health Security Agency
- WHO
- NHS
- UK Health Security Agency
- UK Health Security Agency
For information: RCN position on vaccination
