Vaccine coverage and COVER (Cover of Vaccination Evaluated Rapidly)

A programme for evaluating childhood immunisation.

The Centre for Infections (CfI) of the Health Protection Agency, in collaboration with the National Public Health Service for Wales, CDSC Northern Ireland and Health Protection Scotland, collates UK immunisation coverage statistics from computerised child health systems for children aged one, two and five years of age.

The COVER programme monitors immunisation coverage data for children in the United Kingdom who reach their first, second or fifth birthday during each evaluation quarter. This information is promptly fed back to local level, creating the opportunity to improve coverage and to detect changes in vaccine coverage quickly.