As World Immunisation Week begins on 24 April, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is calling on people of all ages to check they are up to date with their vaccinations, warning that falling uptake leaves communities vulnerable to preventable illnesses.
The appeal comes as the NHS Spring Covid‑19 vaccination programme gets underway across Cheshire and Merseyside, with 354,172 people eligible for a top‑up dose to boost their protection against serious illness.
Cheshire and Merseyside has seen a decline in routine vaccination coverage in recent years, including childhood immunisations such as MMR, whooping cough and HPV, as well as adult vaccines like shingles and RSV.
Health leaders say World Immunisation Week is a timely reminder of the importance of staying protected through vaccination.
Dr Paula Cowan, local GP and Regional Medical Director for NHS England in the North West, said:
Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves, our families and our communities.
World Immunisation Week gives us the opportunity to highlight just how important it is to keep vaccinations up to date. Even small drops in uptake can lead to outbreaks of diseases we should not be seeing.
Whether you’re a parent checking your child’s Red Book or an adult who may have missed a vaccine earlier in life, now is the perfect time to get protected.
Fiona Lemmens, Executive Clinical Director, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, added:
With the Spring Covid‑19 vaccination programme now underway, I would urge everyone who is eligible to come forward and take up their offer. Protection against Covid‑19 reduces over time, so this spring vaccination is an important way to boost immunity and reduce the risk of becoming seriously unwell or needing hospital treatment.
The NHS is encouraging people across Cheshire and Merseyside to:
- Check their vaccination records or contact their GP practice if they are unsure what they or their children have received
- Book appointments for any missed or overdue vaccinations
- Take up invitations for routine vaccinations, including MMR, HPV, whooping cough, shingles, RSV and Covid‑19
- Seek trusted information from NHS sources if they have questions about vaccine safety or eligibility
Parents and carers are being urged to pay particular attention to childhood vaccinations, with NHS teams across Cheshire and Merseyside offering catch‑up clinics and additional support for families who may have missed appointments.
Diseases such as measles, meningitis and whooping cough can spread quickly when vaccination rates fall. NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is working closely with local authorities, schools, community groups and health partners to increase awareness and make vaccinations as accessible as possible.
The World Health Organization has identified immunisation as one of the most successful and cost effective public health interventions. Yet global disruptions in recent years have contributed to gaps in routine coverage. Health experts emphasise that restoring high vaccination rates is essential to preventing the resurgence of diseases that had become rare.
World Immunisation Week runs from 24-30 April and is observed globally to celebrate the lifesaving impact of vaccines and to promote collective action for immunisation.
