Liverpool's childhood vaccination rates remain among the lowest of England's core cities, with parental beliefs and mistrust of vaccines contributing to the decline. The city council is now implementing a two-year strategy to boost uptake of routine jabs.
According to new documents, since 2013 rates of many routine immunisations including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), 6-in-1 and pre-school booster have fallen considerably below the 95% coverage target required for herd immunity. Nationally, the rate of getting routine childhood vaccines has declined over the past decade, with coverage falling below levels recommended by the World Health Organisation to prevent outbreaks.
Coverage gaps across the city
City council data shows Liverpool records 84% uptake of the six-in-one jab at 12 months compared to 91% across England. For the MMR dose two at age five, the rate in the city is 72% against a national average of 84%.
Vaccination coverage for HPV, which helps prevent cervical cancer and several other cancers, for one dose in 2024-25 among 12 to 13 year old females in Liverpool was 64% compared to an England average of 72%. Coverage has declined gradually over time from a previous high of over 94%.
Flu jab uptake is also almost 10% off national trends, with those aged 65 and over recorded at 66%. The average for England is 75%. Among pregnant women, just 28% are receiving a vaccination compared to 38% nationally.
Factors behind low uptake
Research conducted across the city has identified a range of factors contributing to low uptake, including concerns about vaccine safety, mistrust, limited awareness of the risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and barriers to accessing vaccination services. There are also significant variations in coverage across the city.
A report to go before members of the council's adult social care and health committee next week said factors contributing to declining uptake are complex and include barriers to accessing services, concerns about vaccine safety, misinformation, mistrust in authorities and limited awareness of the diseases vaccines protect against.
Parental beliefs and inequalities
Audience insight research commissioned by Liverpool Council in 2023 identified parental beliefs, concerns and experiences as important factors influencing childhood vaccination decisions. False claims about vaccines being linked to autism and developmental delays, a preference for natural immunity, limited understanding of the diseases vaccines prevent and increased mistrust following the COVID-19 pandemic were noted. Parents frequently relied on information from family, friends and social networks, with some reporting that healthcare professionals had not adequately addressed their concerns.
There are significant inequalities in vaccine coverage across Liverpool, both geographically and between population groups. Coverage is generally lower in areas of high deprivation. In 2025/26, coverage of two doses of MMR at five years of age ranged from under 55% in some city centre wards to 94.5% in Calderstones. In a survey of 248 families engaged through Liverpool Best Start Family Hubs and partner organisations, while most families reported having their children vaccinated, some expressed concerns about vaccination and found information difficult to understand.
The city council's plan aims to strengthen public confidence in vaccination, improve engagement with underserved communities and support action to address barriers to vaccination.
