People appear to have forgotten…

When the smallpox and polio vaccines were discovered, there was much celebration and parents queued to have their children vaccinated. Since those early days of vaccination prophylaxis, there has been an enormous expansion of what is offered both in the UK and globally.

The current early childhood cover of vaccination evaluated rapidly (COVER) programme is extensive, starting at 8 weeks of age, with a combined vaccine to immunise against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B. It has a separate vaccine to immunise against meningococcal group B (MenB) and an oral vaccine against rotavirus gastroenteritis, culminating with booster and first dosages at the first birthday or after, against Hib and meningococcal group C (MenC), pneumococcus, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), also known as German measles, and MenB with seasonal influenza vaccination each autumn (UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), 2024a).

The COVER programme extends to school year 9 (14 years of age) and offers vaccinations against cancers and genital warts caused by specific human papillomavirus types and meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y, as well as booster doses to protect against tetanus, diphtheria and polio (UKHSA, 2024a).