The MMR uptake rate for the first quarter of 2001 was 79.4% compared to 76.1% in the same period in 2000. I am circulating the information broken down by health board area as requested by the Deputy with this reply. The information circulated shows the MMR uptake rate for children aged 24 months in the first quarter of 2000 and 2001 by health board area.
With the exception of one region, MMR uptake rates have improved in all health board areas. The National Disease Surveillance Centre has advised me that the overall improvement in MMR uptake rates seen in the first quarter of 2001 may in part be attributed to a greater number of parents having their children vaccinated in response to concerns about the measles outbreak which occurred in 2000.
Although MMR uptake rates have improved in the first quarter of 2001, they still fall short of the national target rate of 95%. The national immunisation steering committee was established earlier this year to examine a wide range of issues relating to the childhood and other immunisation programmes including the identification of issues which are hampering the achievement of uptake targets. I understand that work is at an advanced stage and the committee is expected to report later this year.
I take this opportunity to urge parents to have their children immunised with the MMR vaccine in accordance with current recommendations. This will ensure that individual children and the population generally have maximum protection against the diseases concerned. General practitioners are aware of the contra-indications to the recommended childhood immunisations and parents should discuss any concerns they may have with their GP before making a decision about their child's immunisation.