Parents should ensure that their children are fully vaccinated against measles before the start of the new school year, the British health authority said. There are concerns that contact between pupils at school could lead to a renewed increase in cases.
According to the UK Health Authority (UKHSA), 2,278 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles have been reported in England since the beginning of 2024, with London and the West Midlands particularly affected. The majority of cases – 62% – were in children aged 10 and under.
Measles spreads easily among unvaccinated people. The disease often begins with cold-like symptoms followed by a rash, but can lead to severe illness or even death.
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. The first dose is given at one year of age and a second at three years and four months of age as part of the NHS routine childhood immunisation programme.
The UKHSA is currently stepping up its efforts to increase childhood vaccinations. Through a series of adverts on TV, radio, social media and posters, the company is reminding parents of the dangers of not protecting their children against measles – as well as other diseases such as meningitis, polio and whooping cough.
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said measles can be a serious and sometimes fatal disease.
“Vaccines are our best protection and it is important that children receive all vaccinations,” he said. “With the fall semester just around the corner, I urge all parents to catch up on any missed vaccinations so that children are safe when they return to school or daycare.”
Since last autumn, England has seen a rise in measles cases, with outbreaks initially occurring in the West Midlands and then spreading to other areas, including London. According to the UKHSA, the situation has led to the highest number of cases since 2012.
In January, the UKHSA declared a national incident, warning that uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was at its lowest level in more than a decade and that population vaccination rates with two doses were below the 95% threshold that would prevent the spread of measles.
Efforts to increase uptake included the national catch-up campaign for MMR, which was launched in November last year and intensified in the following months.
According to a new report from the UKHSA, such campaigns have borne fruit: between August 2023 and April 2024, there was a 4.9% increase in second vaccinations among black, black British, Caribbean or African children aged three years, seven months and five years, while more than 13% of previously unvaccinated children aged five years or under received their first MMR vaccination during the campaign period.
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Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol, said there were many reasons why it was important to prevent measles in children. “Apart from being a very unpleasant disease even without complications, it can cause severe or permanent damage to children’s lungs, eyes and brain,” he said.
“Children who have had measles are vulnerable to other serious infections for months or even years afterwards because the virus damages the immunity they have built up over time. Some children die from measles. All of this is entirely preventable by ensuring they receive two doses of the safe, effective vaccine, which is available free on the NHS.”
Prof Sir Andrew Pollard of Oxford University agreed. “As a paediatrician, I am very concerned about the ongoing measles outbreak and the real risk that the situation will get worse next autumn when children go back to school next week,” he said.
“Children who are not vaccinated can become seriously ill or spread the disease to others who are at risk, such as children with cancer. Measles is also present in our community, so please make sure your children get all their vaccinations.”
