The most recent data from the HPSC reports that vaccine uptake for the Primary Childhood Immunisation schedule at 12 months has declined nationally by 0.8%-1.1% with rates in some areas showing a much larger decline in uptake. Vaccine uptake nationally is below the 95% target recommended by the World Health Organization.
It is therefore important that all healthcare professionals recommend vaccination at every opportunity to protect children from vaccine preventable diseases.
The NIO has developed a HSELand eLearning module that specifically addresses the scenario where a parent is hesitant about vaccines. This module is called “Talking about immunisation” and is available on www.hseland.ie
In General Practice, checking which babies are up to date with vaccines, and sending reminders by text, email, phone or mail to parents’ whose babies are late or have not been vaccinated, is also important and has been shown to increase vaccine uptake, as well as offering vaccines opportunistically if the family attend the practice for another reason.