Devastating Measles Outbreak Looms in the U.K., London especially vulnerable
A concerning new report from the U.K.’s National Health Security Agency has revealed that the country is increasingly at risk of a devastating measles outbreak. London, in particular, is vulnerable, as are under-vaccinated communities outside of the city. The report warns that those who have never received a routine childhood Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine are at the highest risk.
The U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) estimates that young adults aged 19 to 25 may be the most susceptible to measles, as they may not have received the necessary MMR vaccine during their childhood. In response to this growing threat, the NHS has launched a targeted “catch-up campaign” to encourage vaccine uptake among the affected population. This campaign is similar to the ones launched previously to target children up to 11 years old who may be at risk for polio.
“Measles can easily spread between unvaccinated people and can be serious, but it is preventable, which is why we continue to encourage Londoners to take up the vaccine,” said Jane Clegg, Regional Chief Nurse for the NHS in London. As part of this effort, GPs have been reaching out to over 10,000 parents of unvaccinated children, resulting in hundreds of appointments being booked for vaccination.
The report reveals that between January 1 and June 30 of this year alone, there have been 128 cases of measles reported in the U.K., compared to just 54 cases in the entirety of 2022. The MMR vaccine coverage in the NHS routine childhood program is currently at its lowest point in a decade, with only 85% of English children receiving both doses of the vaccine by the age of 5. This falls below the World Health Organization’s target vaccination rate of 95%.
It is essential to address this gap in vaccination coverage, as even a 10% difference can lead to significant consequences due to the nature of how these diseases spread. The report predicts that London alone could experience between 40,000 and 160,000 cases of measles, with 20 to 40% of those cases potentially requiring hospitalization.
The U.K. faces a critical public health challenge in the form of a potential measles outbreak. The NHS’s catch-up campaign and efforts to increase vaccine uptake among affected populations are crucial in preventing the further spread of this highly contagious and preventable disease. It is vital for individuals to take advantage of the available vaccines and protect themselves and their communities against measles.