NEARLY 200 babies in Oxfordshire have missed out on important jabs meant to protect them from potentially deadly illnesses, figures have revealed.
Young children should get the so-called 'six-in-one' jab, which is meant to protect against six serious infections including polio, whooping cough and diphtheria, within the first few months of their lives.
New data from Public Heath England shows that 190 children in Oxfordshire who had their first birthday in the six months to September missed out on this vaccination.
But 95.1 per cent of one year olds did have it – meaning Oxfordshire was in line with the 95 per cent rate recommended by the World Heath Organisation to prevent deadly outbreaks.
Meanwhile the uptake rate for the South East over the same period was 93.2 per cent, while the figures across England stood at 92.1 per cent.
Babies should have three rounds of the 'six-in-one' vaccination at eight, 12 and 16 weeks of age.
It helps them develop a strong immunity to diphtheria, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza type b, polio, tetanus and whopping cough – all described by the NHS as “serious childhood diseases”.
Former Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood, who is now a health minister, said: “Every child must be vaccinated against dangerous and potentially fatal diseases. Vaccine uptake is very high, at around 90%, for most childhood vaccines, but we are determined to drive rates up even further."
The Conservative politician added: "Our new vaccination strategy, published in the new year, will consider a range of approaches to improve uptake.”
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