UK Faces Measles Outbreak Due to Low Vaccination Rates

The UK Health Security Agency has declared a national incident as measles cases surpass 300 since October, driven by decreased vaccination uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• More than 300 measles cases have been reported in England since October 2023, prompting the UK Health Security Agency to declare a national incident.
• The decline in measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic is a key factor in the outbreak, with vaccination rates falling below the WHO-recommended 95% for herd immunity.
• In response to the outbreak, the NHS launched a vaccination campaign targeting unvaccinated children aged 6 to 11, with efforts to improve vaccination rates, particularly in London where rates are lowest.
• Globally, measles cases and deaths have increased, with a 45-fold rise in cases in the WHO’s European region from 2022 to 2023 and an 18% increase in global cases between 2021 and 2022.
• Experts emphasize the importance of vaccination as the primary means of preventing measles, a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe health complications and death.

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