Is our Scouse scepticism making us vulnerable to vaccine disinformation?

AS Liverpool battles a worrying measles outbreak, health chiefs are deeply concerned about the city's worryingly low vaccination rates. But what is behind these alarming numbers?

- by LIAM THORP

Last weekend, the tragic news that a child suffering with measles had died at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital was confirmed. The ECHO understands that the child was from Liverpool and had significant other health issues. They were unvaccinated but it is not clear if this was related to their other health issues or not.

News of the death came after Alder Hey confirmed a serious spike in measles cases, with 17 children treated at the hospital for the infection since June. Health officials in the city say the number suffering with measles in the community is likely to be much higher.

This news brings the city's worryingly low vaccination rates into sharp focus. In Liverpool the take-up rate for having both doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine stands at about 74%, significantly lower than the 83% rate for England as a whole.

To achieve herd immunity, the World Health Organization says 95% of the population should be double-jabbed. So what is behind Liverpool’s dangerously low rates?

For the city’s public health director, Professor Matt Ashton, there are likely to be a number of factors, including the fact Liverpool is a deprived city where many people lead difficult lives.

He told the ECHO: “I think the reasons for the MMR uptake are complex and complicated. MMR uptake nationally has been declining for the last decade, so Liverpool is no different in that sense.