23
Jul 2019
One in ten children worldwide missing out on life-saving vaccines
A report by Unicef and the World Health Organisation details how 19.4 million children worldwide were ‘not fully vaccinated ‘ in 2018, a figure which has increased from 18.7 million in 2017 and 18 million in 2016.
These ’insufficient’ uptake rates are exposing children to the risk of everything from diphtheria to tetanus, whooping cough to measles. Measles is particularly concerning in light of the current global outbreak of the disease, including first world countries.
Recent figures have shown that over 600,000 British children missed out on the measles vaccine between 2010 and 2018.
The World Health Organisation’s Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said “Vaccines are one of our most important tools for preventing outbreaks and keeping the world safe.
“While most children today are being vaccinated, too many are left behind.
“Unacceptably, it’s often those who are most at risk – the poorest, the most marginalised, those touched by conflict or forced from their homes – who are persistently missed.”
Unicef’s director of advocacy Alastair Harper, said “In high-income countries like the UK, vaccine-related misinformation on digital and social platforms is one of the key factors associated with vaccine hesitancy.
“Anti-vaccination groups are exploiting parents, creating confusion and stoking their fears in order to disrupt regular childhood vaccination schedules.”
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.
Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 304 738
- Like this ? Share with friends