Measles warning issued to residents ahead of schools return

This year, there have been a number of major measles outbreaks across the country, including in the West Midlands and London.

There have been 2,387 lab-confirmed cases in England between January 1 and August 26 in 2024 - the highest number of cases in the country since 2012.

Of these, 89 were reported in the North West, making it the fifth highest hotspot in the country.

As a result, the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) is now urging parents to ensure their children catch up on missed vaccinations before heading back to the classroom.

Dr Merav Kliner, consultant in health protection at UKHSA North West, said: "Two MMR jabs offer the best and safest protection against measles.

"Unvaccinated children are at risk of serious illness or life-long complications and no parent wants this for their child.

"Measles is highly infectious and is still circulating in many areas across the country. It only takes one case to get into a school or nursery where many children are unprotected for numbers to suddenly surge."

The urgent call from the UKHSA North West comes as the joint childhood immunisation campaign, with NHS England, is being scaled up across England.

Dr Merav Kliner (Image: UKSHA)

Dr Kliner added: "Our campaign will be visible across multi-media channels and sees children urging their parents to get them protected.

“Parents should check their child’s vaccinations Red Book to ensure they are up to date with MMR and all their vaccines.

"If unsure, contact your GP practice, who can check and provide the vaccinations your child needs. Don’t put it off, please act today."

UKHSA and NHS England, together with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), are also reminding parents and carers of the risk of children missing out on protection against other serious diseases, including whooping cough, meningitis, diphtheria and polio.

Measles spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools.

It can be a very nasty illness and, in some children, can be very serious, leading to hospitalisation and life-long complications and, tragically, even death in rare cases.

Getting vaccinated not only gives children protection but it also helps to prevent the spread of the disease and protect those more vulnerable.

The campaign will share the urgent message that 'if children aren’t vaccinated, they’re not protected' with parents across the country for the next six weeks.

This will go live as the new early years settings and school term begins, in an attempt to prevent a rise in measles cases similar to that seen in October 2023.

Wide-ranging MMR catch-up activities have been ongoing since August 2023 led by NHS and other partners, to target communities with low uptake for children who missed MMR vaccines.

According to an MMR evaluation report published by UKSHA, there has been a significant uptake in vaccinations, but rates remain too low in some areas leaving the potential to see outbreaks, especially as children begin mixing more on starting or returning to school. 

Dr Gareth Wallis, interim regional medical director for NHS England – North West, said: “While it’s heartening to see increases in uptake of the MMR vaccine, we know there is still some way to go to achieve levels of immunity in the community that will protect those who are too young to have the vaccine or are unable to have it due to a health condition.

“We hope this campaign to promote all routine childhood immunisations, including MMR, will continue to help parents and carers to understand more about the important role vaccines play in protecting their children from becoming seriously unwell with preventable illnesses and encourage them to book an appointment at their GP practice when vaccines are due, or to catch up on any missed doses.”