West Midlands is worst in country for adult vaccinations
The West Midlands is the worst region in the country when it comes to adults being up to date with their vaccinations, according to new research.
A survey carried out by pollster Ipsos/Mori on behalf of pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), found that only 19 per cent of adults in the region were aware of what vaccinations they needed and were fully up to date.
The news follows reports that half a million children across the UK have missed a measles jab.
As part of its Vaccinate for Life campaign, the company has produced an online tracker outlining the vaccinations people need to have at the various stages of their life.
The survey found that across Great Britain, 23 per cent of adults aged 18 to 75 were aware and up to date with their recommended vaccines.
In the West Midlands, 19 per cent were up to date, while 34 per cent said they had not received any vaccinations because they were not aware of which ones they needed. This figure was below the national average of 36 per cent.
Of people in the West Midlands who were aware of the vaccinations they needed, 10 per cent said they had received no jabs at all – compared to a national average of 12 per cent – and 22 per cent said they had received some vaccinations, compared to a national average of 19 per cent.
The North East had the best record for people up-to-date with their injections.
Philip Cruz, vaccines medical director at GSK, said: "Misinformation on social media, combined with a growing complacency of vaccinations and gaps in vaccination coverage, are cited as main reasons for the return of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, rubella and polio across the globe."
The vaccination tracker can be found on the website vaccinateforlife.com
