RCGP warns of need to ‘restore momentum’ to MMR vaccination after child dies
The RCGP has warned of the need to ‘restore momentum’ to the MMR vaccination programme after reports that a child has died from measles.
Lack of vaccination take up has reversed significant progress made on measles, which was classed as eliminated in the UK in 2017, the college noted.
It has led to outbreaks and the ‘tragic’ death of a child in Liverpool which came just days after health officials in the city warned of high numbers of children seriously ill in hospital with the infection.
In an open letter to parents and carers, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, local Directors of Public Health and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the rise in measles in the area was ‘putting children and young people at risk’.
The Sunday Times later reported a child had died at the hospital after being in intensive care seriously ill with measles and other health problems.
They were one of 17 young people treated at Alder Hey in recent weeks after becoming severely unwell with measles, the newspaper said.
RCGP chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne said: ‘We cannot stress enough how dangerous measles can be.
‘We need to restore momentum to the MMR programme and fight against vaccine complacency and hesitancy.
‘This tragic case and the wider risk of a potential outbreak are really concerning, and we would urge all parents to check their children’s vaccinations are up to date, and if they’re not, to make an appointment as soon as possible.’
A recent report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health had pointed to ‘stubborn barriers’ to accessing vaccinations including booking GP appointments.
The issues are contributing to a worrying decline in uptake of childhood vaccines as well as growing inequalities, it found.
Professor Hawthorne added: ‘We know that some patients do face practical barriers in getting their children vaccinated and, where possible, these need to be broken down.
‘By ensuring there is sufficient funding for vital vaccine services would be an important step, and this should extend to general practice which plays a crucial role in vaccine delivery.’
A Government survey showed that most parents continue to have high levels of confidence in childhood vaccines, with most considering them safe, effective and trustworthy.
Speaking in front of the Health and Social Care Committee this week, health secretary Wes Streeting also called for a redoubling of vaccine efforts.
He pointed to measures in the NHS 10 Year Plan that would help boost vaccination, including digital care records that parents could easily check if their child’s immunisations were up to date.
But he added the government would working during the rest of the year to increase uptake of vaccination.
‘Firstly, no child in this country should be dying of measles. And I’m extremely sorry to the poor family that’s now grieving the loss of a child in those circumstances.
‘This is why we have got to redouble our efforts on vaccination.’
The warnings come as figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO) show the UK has the lowest uptake for MMR vaccine among the G7 nations.
Outbreaks of measles have been rising around the world amidst declining vaccine uptake with cases doubling in Europe in 2024 and reaching a three-year high in the US.
In England, a national incident was declared in January 2024 after a measles outbreak in the West Midlands with most cases in those under 10-years old and the UKHSA had already warned of a potential surge this summer.
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