Measles
The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKSHA) July update on measles cases in England shows outbreaks continuing, with 109 cases confirmed in April and 86 so far in May.
Cases have predominantly been in unvaccinated children aged 10 years and under, with on-going outbreaks in a number of regions and London reporting almost half of all cases in the past 4 weeks.
Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among those who are unvaccinated. The UKHSA is concerned that more outbreaks may occur again on a larger scale this summer as families with unvaccinated children and adults travel to countries where there are outbreaks.
MMR jabs are provided free as part of the NHS routine immunisation programme – we encourage all parents/guardians to act on invites or check vaccination records if they think they may have missed their child’s vaccination.