Declining MMR uptake in Kent poses risk to community

A fresh wave of vaccine misinformation is threatening public health in Kent. In an interview with Times Radio on 7 September, Kent County Council Leader Linden Kemkaran suggested that vaccines could be linked to cancer, despite admitting she was “not a medical expert.” Her unevidenced claims, including speculation about Covid-19 vaccines causing cancer in young women and children, risk fuelling misinformation at a time when immunisation rates in Kent and Medway are already falling below safe levels.

According to a report published by Kent County Council, MMR vaccination in Kent remains below the WHO’s 95% target, with only 85.3% of five-year-olds in Kent and 84.7% in Medway fully immunised by March 2025.

Nationally, data from WHO and UNICEF estimates that the UK managed to achieve only 89% coverage for the first measles vaccine and 85% for the second dose in 2024. Coverage of the first MMR dose across the UK has been declining since 2014. An analysis by the Nuffield Trust using 2023–24 data also shows that England lags behind Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in MMR vaccination rates.

These figures are concerning, particularly after the tragic death of a child from measles at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Hospital in July 2025, believed to be the second such death in England in the past five years.

Why are parents hesitant to take up the MMR vaccine?

Vaccine hesitancy has been a widespread concern across the globe for many years. In the UK, it dates back to 1988 when Dr Andrew Wakefield published a now-debunked article linking the MMR vaccine to autism. This caused growing concern among parents and today, the UK is the worst-performing G7 country for coverage of measles vaccines, according to a report published by The Independent.

The impact of vaccine misinformation is clear in online communities, where parents openly express doubt and fear about childhood immunisations. In one Facebook parenting group, mothers seeking advice about the MMR vaccine were met with alarming claims such as, “No no no. Avoid them all…Once they’re injected into the bloodstream, the metals and toxins have access to the brain and every organ!” Others advised ignoring NHS guidance or shared stories of children they claimed had been harmed by vaccines. For some parents, these messages were enough to sway their decisions, highlighting how easily misinformation can reinforce hesitancy and put children and community at risk.

What are the challenges in getting the MMR vaccine?

There are several other factors impacting vaccination rates. Dr Elizabeth Whittaker, clinical lead for paediatric infectious diseases at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, notes that access to vaccines is a major issue. A report from Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) found that uptake of vaccines is usually higher during early childhood, when mothers are on maternity leave and in regular contact with healthcare professionals. However, coverage drops by the time children are due for their first MMR jab at 12 months, and decreases further before the second dose at three to five years.

Additional barriers include zero-hour contracts, limited vaccine clinic hours, transport difficulties and unfamiliarity with GP appointment systems. Frequent changes of healthcare professionals in GP surgeries can also reduce trust and make it harder for parents, especially new mothers or those with multiple children, to follow the vaccination schedule.

In 2024, it was seen that Bristol’s MMR vaccination rates were particularly low among certain neighbourhoods including Somali, Eastern European and Chinese communities, as well as in areas of high deprivation. However, there is no strong evidence of similar patterns of hesitancy in Kent and Surrey, suggesting that local factors, rather than specific community backgrounds, are the main drivers of lower vaccine uptake in these areas.

Is the vaccine safe?

Extensive research confirms that the MMR vaccine is safe and effective in protecting against the highly contagious diseases measles, mumps, and rubella. Since the Wakefield claim linking MMR to autism, scientists have tracked hundreds of thousands of children worldwide, with no evidence of a connection between the vaccine and autism.

Like any vaccine, MMR may cause mild side effects, which usually resolve within three days. These include:

Raised skin rash
Fever
Swollen glands in the cheeks or neck
Joint aches

Serious reactions such as anaphylaxis are extremely rare. Vaccinators are trained to manage these immediately.

Expert advice on vaccinations

Local public health experts of Kent and Medway emphasise the importance of vaccination:

“Vaccines are our best defence against many infectious and potentially serious diseases like measles,” says Dr Anjan Ghosh, Kent County Council director of public health.

“If your child isn’t vaccinated, they are at risk of getting seriously ill and spreading illness onto others as measles is highly infectious,” adds Dr Kate Langford, NHS Kent and Medway’s chief medical officer.

“Getting vaccinated means also […] helping protect others who can’t have the vaccine [including] infants under one year, and people with weakened immune systems,” explains Dr David Whiting, director of public health, Medway Council.

How to catch up with the MMR Vaccine

MMR is safe, effective and free on the NHS and it is never too late to ensure your child is fully protected.

“Children will need both doses of the MMR vaccine to be fully protected.”
– Dr Kate Langford NHS Kent and Medway’s chief medical officer

Parents can arrange vaccinations through their GP practice or via community clinics run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust.

To make it easier for families, authorities can take steps to improve access and awareness. These include:

Raising awareness through social media, online platforms, workplaces and schools to inform parents and carers about the importance of timely vaccination.

Setting up dedicated vaccination centres beyond GP practices, ensuring parents can conveniently bring children for their MMR doses without disruption to work or school.

MMR saves lives: don’t delay

Vaccination is not only for the protection of your child, it also helps protect the wider community. Some individuals, such as unborn babies, infants too young for vaccination, pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems, cannot receive the vaccine. By ensuring children are fully immunised, families play a vital role in preventing serious complications from measles and safeguarding those most vulnerable in society.

Getting your child vaccinated is an investment in their health and the health of your community. Don’t miss the chance to protect them and others.