England’s Measles Crisis: Urgent Call for Vaccination Action

A recent tragedy has underscored the urgent need for increased vaccination efforts against measles in England. Earlier this month, a child suffering from measles and other health complications died at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool. Following this incident, the hospital expressed concern over the rising number of children and young people contracting the disease, having treated 17 children for measles-related complications since June.

In response to the growing crisis, Health Secretary Wes Streeting addressed Parliament, stating, “No child in this country should be dying of measles.” He emphasized the need to “redouble our efforts on vaccination.” The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine offers over 95% protection against measles, yet vaccination rates across England have significantly declined.

Vaccination Rates Fall Below Necessary Targets

None of the council areas in England have achieved the necessary vaccination rate of 95%, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to establish herd immunity. Alarmingly, 22 council areas have vaccination rates for the MMR jab that have dropped below 75%. This decline coincides with a rise in measles cases; so far this year, 529 cases have been confirmed through laboratory reports, primarily affecting children aged 10 and under, though older individuals are also being diagnosed.

The borough of Hackney in Central London currently has the lowest vaccination rate in the country, with only 60.8% of children receiving both doses of the MMR vaccine by their fifth birthday. This area has reported 46 lab-confirmed cases of measles in 2025, making it the second highest in confirmed cases nationwide, following Bristol, which has 47 cases but a higher vaccination rate of 83%.

Other areas experiencing significant outbreaks include Leeds with 29 cases, Salford with 27 cases, Birmingham with 26 cases, and Newham with 24 cases. Notably, none of the 13 hotspot areas with at least 10 confirmed cases have a vaccination rate above 90%. In four of these regions, fewer than 70% of children are up to date with their MMR jabs.

Importance of Timely Vaccination

The MMR vaccine is administered to infants at the age of one, with a second dose offered to preschool children around three years and four months. Approximately 99% of those who receive both doses are protected against measles and rubella, while the protection against mumps is slightly lower. Nevertheless, vaccinated individuals typically experience less severe cases if they do contract the virus.

Health authorities encourage anyone who has not yet received both doses of the MMR vaccine, regardless of age, to contact their general practitioner to schedule an appointment. It is emphasized that it is never too late to catch up on vaccinations.

For more information on measles, mumps, and rubella, individuals can refer to resources provided by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The escalating situation highlights the critical need for renewed vaccination efforts to protect children and prevent further outbreaks across the country.