Measles cases in London have nearly trebled in a year, figures revealed on Wednesday, as experts warned that the capital’s low MMR vaccination rate could leave it vulnerable to a significant outbreak.
A total of 104 confirmed cases were reported in the capital between January and November last year, a rise of 188 per cent on the figure recorded in 2022.
Around half of all cases recorded last year were diagnosed in London, according to figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The highest number of infections was reported in children aged five to 10.
The figure is likely to be higher as the data only covers up to the end of November.
Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious health problems, including meningitis and pneumonia. It usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later.
The figures come as health officials raised the alarm over an outbreak of measles in the West Midlands. More than 300 suspected infections have been reported in the region in the past twelve weeks, prompting local health authorities to declare a “national incident”.
A similar warning was issued in London last July, when the UKHSA said that low vaccination levels could lead to an outbreak of up to 160,000 cases in the capital.
Barnet and Haringey Council wrote to parents to warn that children who were not vaccinated against measles would need to self-isolate for 21 days if a classmate was infected with the disease.
The MMR vaccine is given to children to protect against measles, mumps and rubella as part of the NHS routine vaccination schedule. Children receive their first dose aged 1, and their second dose aged 3 years and 4 months.
Just 72.8 per cent of children in the capital had received both doses of their MMR vaccine by the age of five as of September 2023, by far the lowest proportion of any region in the country and far below the recommended uptake of 95 per cent.
Only six in ten children in Hackney have been fully vaccinated – the lowest proportion of any local authority in the country.
While measles usually clears in 7 to 10 days, around 1 in 1,000 people with the virus develop inflammation of the brain, which can lead to disability or death.
Dr Doug Brown, Chief Executive at the British Society for Immunology, said: “Lower levels of vaccination mean that harmful diseases can spread within our communities, infecting people who have not been vaccinated, including vulnerable individuals who are unable to have vaccinations.
“The best possible protection available against this serious illness is vaccination and it is never too late to get vaccinated. We encourage parents to ensure their children are up to date with their MMR vaccines and catch up on any missed ones as soon as possible.”
