Is distrust in politics linked to falling vaccination rates?

At a time of intense pressure on the NHS, falling rates of vaccination for whooping cough and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) have alarmed the UK Health Security Agency.

- SEAN O'GRADY

The latest development is that another baby has died from whooping cough, bringing the total to 10 since the beginning of the year, with some 10,493 cases recorded in June.

The number of pregnant women with vaccination coverage in March was 58.9 per cent, a significant drop-off from the peak coverage of 72.6 per cent in March 2017. All of this is despite the overwhelming scientific evidence for the efficacy of vaccines, and evidence that vaccination at the right time in pregnancy provides 92 per cent protection against infant death.

Why is this happening?

The most obvious cause is the spike in “anti-vax” propaganda that occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic. While the Covid19 vaccine was promoted as safe and effective, with few serious side effects, it could cause more serious problems in rare instances. Although the anti-vax movement started by trying to discredit only Covid vaccines, it has spread to other, established vaccines.