NHS Immunisation Statistics, England - 2012-13

• Reported coverage figures for most routine childhood vaccinations reported through the COVER programme in 2012-13 showed an increase at national level. Although there was some regional variation, reported figures show increases in coverage across all or most childhood vaccinations for most regions.

• In 2012-13, it was reported that 94.7 per cent of children reaching their first birthday had completed primary immunisation courses against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTaP/IPV/Hib). This is unchanged from 2011-12. Although coverage for England was just below the World Health Organisation (WHO) target of at least 95 per cent, seven out of ten Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) met the target.

• Coverage of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in England for children reaching their second birthday was 92.3 per cent in 2012-13 compared to 91.2 per cent in 2011-12. This is the highest level of MMR coverage since the vaccine was first introduced in 1988. Increases in MMR coverage at 2 years were recorded for all SHAs in 2012-13 and coverage in nine out of ten SHAs was over 90 per cent. Despite increases in recent years, MMR coverage is still below the WHO target of 'at least 95 per cent coverage'.

• Coverage data for the combined Haemophilus influenzae type b and Meningococcal group C (Hib/MenC) booster vaccination at 5 years are available for the second year. In England, 91.5 per cent of children were reported to have received the combined Hib/MenC booster as measured at five years in 2012-13. This compares with 88.9 per cent in 2011-12 when coverage of this vaccine was first reported. Increases in coverage were recorded for all SHAs in 2012-13.

• In 2012-13, vaccination coverage in England was below that of other UK countries for all routine childhood vaccines measured at one, two and five years.

October 2013: The Health and Social Care Information Centre has recently undertaken a review of the KC50 data collection which collects information on persons receiving BCG vaccinations for tuberculosis and on reinforcing doses of diphtheria, tetanus and polio (Td/IPV) given to school leavers.  Data from this collection are usually published in NHS Immunisation Statistics, England. The review was undertaken to examine future information needs and following data supply and quality issues with the collection over a period of years.

The findings of the review have been considered by PHE which is now proposing the evaluation of Td/IPV coverage as part of a new annual adolescent immunisation data collection. Under this proposal, data on BCG vaccinations would be incorporated into the current COVER (Collection of Vaccination Evaluated Rapidly).

The HSCIC will undertake a formal consultation with users once the impact of potential changes to existing data collections on NHS Immunisation Statistics is clear. In the meantime the KC50 collection will continue to be suspended.