Ireland Ranks Third Lowest in Childhood Vaccine Coverage Among High-Income Nations

Ireland has the third lowest childhood vaccine coverage among high-income nations globally. It also ranks sixth lowest in Europe and second lowest in Western Europe. Since 1980, there has been a 75% global decline in children not receiving routine vaccines, but Ireland has the seventh highest number of 'zero-dose' children in Western Europe. In 2019, there were 2,460 'zero-dose' children, which doubled to 4,942 in 2023. Ireland's childhood vaccination coverage is at 91%, below the 95% needed for herd immunity and far from the 2030 target of 97.7%. These findings were published in an article in The Lancet covering childhood vaccination from 1980 to 2023.

Dr. Illona Duffy, a GP in Monaghan, highlighted that Ireland's vaccination rates are below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. She emphasized the importance of vaccinating children to protect not only them but also the community. Duffy identified reasons for low vaccination rates in Ireland, including parents delaying vaccines, vaccine refusals, and vaccine hesitancy among parents of Eastern European origin.

Dr. Duffy attributed vaccine refusal to misinformation and scaremongering, particularly regarding the MMR vaccine and autism. She emphasized the need for public information campaigns to combat misinformation and increase vaccine acceptance. Kingston Mills, a Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College Dublin, stressed the effectiveness of the measles vaccine and the importance of vaccination in preventing diseases like measles.

The HSE stated its commitment to improving vaccine uptake and ensuring access to life-saving vaccines for all children. It acknowledged challenges faced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and outlined the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan to increase childhood vaccination coverage, reduce the number of unvaccinated children, and enhance vaccine delivery and monitoring.

According to the source: The Journal.