A senior health official, Dame Jenny Harries, has warned that measles could spread rapidly across more parts of the UK unless vaccination rates improve. Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), highlighted that current vaccination rates are “well below” the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended levels. In response to the rising cases, particularly in the West Midlands, pop-up clinics are being introduced to increase vaccination among children.
The measles outbreak has been declared a national incident by the UKHSA, allowing for more resources to address the issue. In areas like London, nearly half of the children have not been fully vaccinated against measles, leaving them vulnerable to the highly contagious disease. The Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine, which requires two doses, is essential for protection, but uptake has dropped significantly, with only 85% of children receiving both doses by the time they start school.
WHO recommends that 95% of the population receive the two-dose vaccination to prevent outbreaks, but many areas in the UK fall short of this target. Contributing factors to the decline in vaccinations include challenges in accessing healthcare, staffing cuts, and the impact of the pandemic, which caused some parents to avoid clinics.
Efforts are being made to increase vaccination rates, particularly in areas like Camden, London, where mobile clinics have been set up to make it easier for parents to get their children vaccinated. Harries emphasized the importance of vaccination, reminding people of the severity of measles and its potential complications, including pneumonia, meningitis, and even blindness. The public is urged to ensure their children are up to date with their MMR vaccinations to prevent further spread of the disease.