Overview

• A child’s death at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after contracting measles and having underlying health complications marks the second paediatric measles fatality in Britain this decade.
• Since June, 17 children with measles complications have been treated at Alder Hey, underscoring a recent rise in severe cases.
• Mersey Care NHS Trust and regional health directors issued an open letter urging parents to secure two doses of the MMR vaccine for lifelong protection.
• UK Health Security Agency data show that nearly 29 percent of Merseyside residents lack full MMR coverage, fueling fears of a wider outbreak.
• Health experts emphasize that two doses of the MMR vaccine offer up to 99 percent protection against measles, mumps, and rubella and advise parents to check their children’s immunisation status immediately.