UK measles outbreak: Govt urges parents to check kids’ vaccination

The Community News/London

With 49 measles cases reported between January to April 2023, the UK government on Thursday asked parents to check kids’ MMR vaccination records.

The UK government has only recorded 54 cases of measles in 2022 and reporting of 49 cases, mostly in London, has left officials worried.

Although most of the cases are linked to foreign travels but there has been a steady rise in reporting of such cases, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data stated.

The health officials attribute the cases to less vaccination of kids against measles and only 89% children aged 2 years were vaccinated with MMR first dose.

MMR vaccination of children aged 5 years is 85% which is much below the World Health Organisation target of 95% to achieve measles elimination.

UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist Dr Vanessa Saliba said, “We are calling on all parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with their 2 MMR doses.

It’s never too late to catch up, and you can get the MMR vaccine for free on the NHS whatever your age.

Vaccines are our best line of defence against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella and help stop outbreaks occurring in the community,” Saliba added.

It is worth mentioning here that measles is a highly infectious disease that can lead to pneumonia, meningitis and on rare occasions, long-term disability or death.