News

New data from Public Health England reveals 301 new measles cases between April and June 2019. RCPCH's immunisation expert responds.

The Prime Minister has today called for urgent action to boost the number of children and young people receiving life-saving vaccinations. This comes as it is revealed that the UK has lost its "measles-free" status with the WHO, three years after it had eliminated the virus.

The move by Public Health England could prevent over 100,000 cancers. The RCPCH's Immunisation Expert responds.

Professor Helen Bedford says "England has not escaped the recent increase in cases", and urges parents to vaccinate their children to protect them from "a nasty disease which could result in life changing complications or even death".

The RCPCH welcomes the Government's commitment to protect children online but, to inform future policy and public advice, says it must go further to ensure researchers have access to high quality data.

RCPCH's immunisation expert Dr David Elliman says "compulsion may work in some countries, but it is not for us".

New guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for children under 5 are “useful benchmarks” but require cautious interpretation, says RCPCH's Dr Max Davie.

RCPCH responds to latest study, which casts doubt on whether spending time on screens before bed is harmful to people's mental health, and says "we would still suggest that families follow our guidance published earlier this year".

The RCPCH highly recommends vaccination and that anyone who has concerns or questions talk to their health visitor, practice nurse or general practitioner (GP).

RCPCH Officer for Health Improvement responds to new report published by the Children's Rights Alliance for England, saying "Brexit is a complex and important priority; however, it should not mean that other issues get left on the shelf".