Parents urged to book vaccine appointments for children in summer holidays

Public health officials are urging parents to get their children’s vaccinations up to date over the summer holidays over fears measles cases will surge further when school starts again in September.

The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show another 145 measles cases in the past four weeks, mainly in children under the age of 10 living in London and the North West.

So far this year there have been 674 laboratory confirmed cases of measles in England following a national incident in 2024 which saw just under 3,000 cases reported across the country.

The latest figures also confirmed one acute measles-related death in a child who was known to have other medical conditions.

A report in the Sunday Times earlier this month said a child had died at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool after doctors had warned they had treated 17 children in recent weeks who were severely unwell with measles.

UKHSA said measles activity had increased since April with almost half of cases seen this year in London.

Since January there have also been 111 cases (16% of the total) in the North West and 65 (10%) in the East of England.

In all 88 cases this year have been in children under the age of one year who are too young to receive an MMR vaccination.

A detailed breakdown shows 90 upper tier local authorities have reported at least one confirmed case with symptom onset since January 2025, with the highest numbers reported in Hackney (79), Bristol (47) and Salford (35).

With cases of measles rising globally, including across Europe, UKHSA has said it has concerns over holiday travel driving infections further which could then spread in schools once term starts if children are not vaccinated.

‘Enhanced’ vaccination offers are being put in place in areas with higher numbers of cases including buses travelling around offering MMR jabs or community catch-up sessions.

Measles was classed as eliminated in the UK in 2017 but a steady decline in vaccine uptake – and not just for MMR – has reversed progress.

A recent report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health pointed to ‘stubborn barriers’ to accessing vaccinations including booking GP appointments.

Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation is also an issue but 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.

UKHSA has previously warned that a sustained effort will be needed to reverse a declining trend in uptake of childhood vaccines and hit 95% targets.

Upcoming significant changes to the childhood immunisation schedule include a new 18-month appointment for the second MMR dose which officials hope will help boost uptake.

Figures for 2023/24 show 83.9% of children have received two doses of the MMR by the age of five – the lowest level in 14 years.

By the age of two years 88.9% of children have had their first MMR dose, but these figures hide wide variation where some areas of the country have uptake which is much lower.

In London 73.3% of children have had both doses by the age of five, with similar figures seen in Liverpool.

In Hackney, 40% of children are not protected by both doses, the figures show.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, urged parents not to put off vaccination and regret it later.

‘Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences.’

Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, said: ‘While the NHS delivered tens of thousands of additional MMR vaccinations last year, too many eligible children remain unvaccinated, and we are working with local authorities and the UK Health Security Agency to reach more youngsters, with enhanced vaccination offers in areas with higher cases, including vaccination buses and community catch-up sessions.’