Low uptake of the MMR vaccine among children is giving measles the chance to gain a “foothold” in London, one of the capital's senior health officials has warned.
Dr Anita Bell, lead consultant for vaccine-preventable diseases at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) London, said the vaccination rate against the disease in the capital was “well below” the NHS target and urged parents to ensure their children had received a jab.
Figures published last Thursday revealed that a total of 33 measles infections were reported in London between January 1 and April 20 this year.
In 2022, just 54 cases were recorded across the UK.
Measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, meningitis, and on rare occasions, long-term disability or death.
Dr Bell told the Standard: “We are currently seeing an uptick of measles cases across the country with a significant proportion of these in London. Some are linked to travel abroad to places where measles is more common, but low uptake of the MMR vaccine is giving this serious disease a chance to get a foothold in our communities here.
“Uptake of two MMR doses in children aged 5 in London is just 74 per cent – well below the 95 per cent target necessary to eliminate measles, and the majority of the recent cases in London are in under-vaccinated individuals.”
She added: “The NHS is taking action to get London’s children vaccinated and I encourage all parents to take up this urgent offer as soon as possible. You can get vaccinated at your GP surgery at any time and it is never too late to catch up.”
Several boroughs in London are among the least vaccinated in the country, according to UKHSA figures analysed by the Standard.
Less than two-thirds of children in Hackney (58.9 per cent) in Hackney had received the full course (two doses) of the MMR jab by age 5, followed by Camden (62.6 per cent) and Haringey (64.7 per cent).
Vaccination coverage against the virus has fallen in recent years due to disruption caused by the pandemic.
The overall proportion of children in London aged 5 who have received a full MMR vaccination has dropped from 81.7 per cent in 2016 to 74.2 per cent in 2022.
The London figure is also far below the national average of 85.7 per cent.
Europe is likely to see a resurgence of measles unless countries maintain a high level of vaccination coverage among young children, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.
Large outbreaks are currently underway in multiple countries in South Asia and Africa.
Anyone with measles symptoms is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice, before visiting the surgery or A&E, to prevent the illness from spreading further.
