• The figures on MMR vaccine uptake are accurate, based on Public Health Agency figures as well as a statement from the Department of Health. 
  • That statement said uptake was 89% for the first vaccination dose, 85% for the second, and that Northern Ireland has “fallen behind” the rate recommended to avoid outbreaks.
  • The day after this claim was made, Northern Ireland recorded its first case of measles since 2017.

On 19 February during a plenary session in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said:

“Almost 89% of children in Northern Ireland have received their first MMR jab, but fewer return for the second dose, with only 85% of children fully vaccinated by the time that they are five years old. The World Health Organization recommends a 95% vaccination rate to prevent outbreaks, and we are currently below that.”

Based on available evidence, these figures are accurate

Mr Donnelly made these claims using figures quoted directly from a recent announcement from the Department of Health.

The day after Mr Donnelly made this address in Stormont, Northern Ireland recorded its first confirmed case of measles in seven years.

  • MMR vaccination

MMR stands for “measles, mumps and rubella”. The MMR vaccine protects against all three diseases.

In Northern Ireland, the recommendation is for one vaccine after a child’s first birthday, and another at age three years and four months. Unvaccinated adults may receive a vaccination from the age of 25 and, in NI, there is an ongoing “catch-up campaign” aimed at those aged between one- and 25-years-old.

  • Vaccine uptake

Mr Donnelly took his figures directly from a Department of Health (DoH) press release from 14 February, which said:

“Latest figures show that in Northern Ireland – around 89% of children had received their first dose of MMR vaccine at two years of age and 85% had received their second dose of MMR at five years of age. This means that we have fallen behind the WHO recommended uptake of 95% for two doses of MMR, achieving this uptake will protect individuals and our population from the risks of measles spreading.”

The figures relating to vaccine uptake in NI come straight from DoH. The raw data is available on the Public Health Agency’s website. Stats for the latest-available quarter (July to September 2023) shows that 88.8% of two-year-olds have had their first MMR vaccine and 85.4% of five-year-olds have received two doses.

The World Health Organisation target of a 95% vaccination rate for measles is also confirmed by the Nuffield Trust (which links to a WHO report) and in this 2019 policy paper from Public Health England, UK Measles and Rubella elimination strategy 2019.

Taken altogether, this shows the claim is accurate.

The DoH press release also quoted Deputy Chief Medical Officer Lourda Geoghegan, who said:

“There has been an alarming rise in measles infections across Europe this winter, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently reporting an increase in measles cases in England, and sadly last week health authorities in Ireland reported the death of an adult from measles.

“While there have been no confirmed cases of measles in Northern Ireland since 2017, it is only a matter of time before the illness is reported here. The Department is working very closely with the Public Health Agency to monitor our situation locally.”
This prediction has since proven correct. Less than a week after the publication of this press release, Northern Ireland recorded its first case of measles since 2017.