Many children may be about to return to London schools without protection from illnesses like measles – with falling vaccine rates prompting fears of a fresh surge of infections from September. Over the summer holidays, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged parents to prioritise vaccine catch-up appointments to protect against infectious diseases like measles.
However, new data published on Thursday shows that only 69.6% of children in London had received both doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine by their fifth birthday. That’s much lower than in the rest of England excluding London (85.0%), and well below the 95% target.
With measles in resurgence across Europe, the UKHSA is also concerned that families who travelled abroad over the summer may have carried infections back to the UK from countries where there are outbreaks. In England, while children have been away from school, weekly lab-confirmed cases of measles appear to have fallen, although that may be due to reporting delays.
As of August 18, there had been 742 lab-confirmed cases of measles this year. That includes 40 new cases confirmed in the last four weeks, the vast majority in London.
Of local authority areas, Hackney has seen the highest number of cases with 94, including 15 new cases since the last update.
Hackney also has the second-lowest rate of vaccination protection against measles in the country, behind only Kensington and Chelsea (56.3%).
Fewer than three in five children living in Hackney had received both doses of the MMR jab by their fifth birthday, after the vaccination rate slipped to 58.8% as of March. Haringey has now had the second-highest number of cases in London, with 26, after five new infections were confirmed by lab tests.
Cases have also been rising in Islington (up to 15 infections this year), Camden (22), Lewisham (20), Croydon (24), Barnet (14), Southwark (10), and Wandsworth (10). Newham has had the third highest number of cases in London with 25, but no new infections have been confirmed in the last four weeks.
You can see if any measles infections have been confirmed near you – and check the latest vaccine rates where you live – using our interactive map below.
Earlier this summer, Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist with the UKHSA, urged parents to use the holiday period to make sure their children’s vaccinations are up to date and not “put it off and regret it later.” She said: “Two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles. Babies under the age of one and some people who have weakened immune systems cannot have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles. They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them.”
The first MMR vaccine is offered to infants when they turn one year old and the second dose to pre-school children when they are around three years and four months old. Around 99% of those who have two doses will be protected against measles and rubella. Although mumps protection is slightly lower, cases in vaccinated people are much less severe.
Anyone, whatever age, who has not had two doses can contact their GP surgery to book an appointment. It is never too late to catch up. For more information on measles, mumps and rubella see the UKHSA resource here.
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