Misinformation warning as vaccine uptake drops

Yorkshire has recorded one of the sharpest drops in childhood vaccination rates in England, with uptake in Bradford among the worst nationally.

NHS data shows the proportion of two year olds in the region who have received their first dose of the vaccine fell from 92.8% in 2018-19 to 90.1% in 2023-24.

Health authorities warn that coverage needs to reach 95% to prevent outbreaks of the viruses.

Andrew Taylor, interim director of public health at Bradford Council, said the authority was working hard to address the issue, adding that misinformation was partly to blame.

"We really do want to improve the rates of immunisation," he said.

"It is disappointing to see that we're lower in this latest period than we really wanted, because we're putting in a lot of work to encourage people."

He said there was a growing feeling of reticence around vaccinations, saying people were becoming "more hesitant than they used to" and criticised those in the public eye who cast doubt on vaccine safety.

"Any politician, as far as I'm concerned, who promotes ideas that vaccinations don't work is actually putting the public at risk and should think very carefully before they spread that [message]."

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Source: BBC News, 26 September 2025