Overview

• A child’s death from measles at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital on July 15 has spurred urgent outbreak warnings across north-west England.
• NHS data show about 500 measles cases in England this year with vaccination coverage at 85% in the region, falling to 73% in Liverpool and 75% in Manchester.
• Liverpool, Wirral, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire authorities have declared a real outbreak risk and are urging residents to check and update their MMR vaccinations.
• Mobile clinics, community ‘Living Well’ buses and non-porcine MMR options are being deployed to improve access for unvaccinated children and adults.
• Health officials warn that infants, pregnant women and immunocompromised people face the highest complication risks and recommend prompt vaccination.