In some parts of the country, childhood vaccination rates are falling leaving children vulnerable to serious illness such as measles and whooping cough. The NHS free childhood vaccination programme prevents around 5,000 deaths a year and more than 100,000 hospital admissions in England.
England no longer has the high levels of population immunity recommended by the World Health Organisation for highly infectious diseases, like measles, to be eliminated (95%). This means outbreaks are more likely to occur posing a greater risk for those who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.
The campaign aims to increase the uptake of immunisations among children aged 0-5 years. It also hopes to raise awareness amongst parents of the importance of vaccinations by highlighting the serious risk that childhood illnesses can pose if children are not vaccinated.
If any child has missed a vaccine, it is never too late for their parent, guardian or carer to contact their GP practice to catch up.
Visit our dedicated childhood vaccinations webpage to find out more information.
And look out for details of school holiday vaccination clinics on our Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) channels, and keep up to date with our fortnightly newsletter ICB Update.