Health · 4 August 2026
Fewer doctor visits cause drop in childhood vaccines

Public health experts suggest that fewer face-to-face contacts with medical professionals drive declining childhood immunisation rates rather than online misinformation alone. England has experienced a significant drop in health visitors who traditionally remind parents about jabs over the past decade. Meanwhile, GP shortages and shifting patient relationships mean families have fewer trusted medical touch points to help keep track of schedules.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs
