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image captionFew children in Lincolnshire are vaccinated than before the coronavirus pandemicArticle InfoAuthor, Harry ParkhillRole, BBC News
10 minutes ago
Health experts are concerned that conspiracy theories about vaccines could be affecting the rollout.
The number of young children receiving some vaccines in Lincolnshire has fallen over the past five years.
“They will protect you from some really scary diseases,” said Professor Derek Ward, director of public health for Lincolnshire.
“I'm worried that people will believe conspiracy theories,” Ward said.
But he insists, “These are just conspiracy theories. What I'm saying is the facts.”
He said: “There is all the international evidence that the vaccines being distributed in the UK are safe, highly effective and will protect against truly terrible diseases.”
The MMR shot for five-year-olds, which protects children from measles, mumps and rubella, has seen vaccination coverage fall from about 90% to 83% since the coronavirus pandemic.
The World Health Organization recommends a vaccination rate of 95% against infectious diseases.
image captionProfessor Derek Ward has been Lincolnshire's director of public health since before the coronavirus pandemic
Professor Ward is also concerned about the number of children completing the vaccination program, which can involve multiple injections, until they reach primary school age.
“Not only are we seeing fewer of them compared to five or 10 years ago, but we're also seeing fewer children completing their schedules, both of which are risks and concerns,” he added. .
To better understand people's views, Lincolnshire Public Health is asking parents to fill out a survey asking why they did not take their children for the jab.
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