MMR vaccination coverage fell very slightly last year in England, the first time it has not risen for seven years, the Health and Social Care Information Centre has reported.
The proportion of children receiving their first dose of MMR immunisations by the age of two went down from 92.7% in 2013/14 to 92.3% in 2014/15.
It suggests coverage has plateaued after increasing year on year up from 2007/08 until 2013/14 – stalling progress towards the target of 95% set by the World Health Organisation.
However, there was considerable variation across the country.
Just over a quarter of local authorities reported coverage above the 95% target, while lower coverage was mainly concentrated in London – with three authorities reporting less than 80% coverage.
