Numbers of people getting vaccinated for serious diseases in Trafford are continuing to fall post-pandemic, meaning communities could be more at risk of a range of illnesses.
Trafford Council public health chiefs are calling on people to go for their jabs – whichever they are invited for – protecting vulnerable people who can’t have an injection due to health conditions like cancer, as well as themselves.
The call-out comes as NHS Greater Manchester’s Get Winter Strong campaign enters its final month – with the last date for booking COVID vaccinations being Thursday 19 December and the final day for appointments Friday 20 December. As in previous years, flu vaccines continue into March.
Rates of vaccine take-up are down across the board despite the Council and healthcare partners’ efforts to raise awareness and encourage people to make and keep appointments.
In 2023/24, flu vaccinations were down to 43% for at-risk individuals, the lowest level in 13 years, and 79.3% for over 65s in the borough in 2023/24.
Immunisations for preschoolers reached just 50.8% compared with 63.4% in 2020/21, whereas coverage for schoolchildren increased slightly to 68%.
A total of 95.5% of children got their PPV vaccination for meningitis and other conditions, but only 92.1% received their booster jab. Three quarters of over 65s had theirs.
28,708 people in Trafford were eligible for Covid vaccines in Spring this year, and just over half (53.1%, 15,258) reported for a jab, compared with 56.7% the previous year.
For MMR – mumps, measles and rubella – a total of 89.8% five-year-old children were vaccinated in Trafford in 2023/24, the second highest total in Greater Manchester after Stockport. But this proportion falls short of the 95% needed to achieve herd immunity so that disease cannot spread.
Since January, two cases of measles have been reported in Trafford and 81 cases of whooping cough. Regionally and nationally, instances of these infections and others are rising.
Residents should watch out for communications from their GP inviting them to attend for immunisations. Anyone unsure as to whether they are up to date should ask their GP surgery.
Cllr Jane Slater, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy and Independent Lives, said: “These figures show a downward trend that we are very keen to turn around. Getting vaccinated is important individuals and our communities.
“Attending your appointment protects yourself and also helps to protect anyone who cannot be immunised due to health reasons.”
