Key Summary
- A fast-spreading measles outbreak has hit several London schools, mainly affecting unvaccinated children, with dozens of cases reported in Enfield.
- Uptake is below the 95 per cent target, with only 64 per cent of five-year-olds vaccinated locally, according to UK Health Security Agency.
- Health experts urge parents to use free MMRV vaccines, as warned by World Health Organization, after the UK lost measles elimination status.
Schools in London are facing a “fast spreading” measles outbreak and most of those affected happen to be unvaccinated.
According to the latest BBC report, 34 children have been affected by the disease in Enfield, a north London suburb, where at least seven schools have been affected.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that 96 measles cases confirmed in January across England.
Experts are urging parents and carers to understand the need to utilise the free Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox vaccination (MMRV) facilities to keep them safe.
Poor uptake of vaccine still remains as a common cause of this outbreak in the UK and other parts of the globe.
While the recommended figure of vaccine uptake is 95 per cent, the recent UKHSA data shows that only 64.3 per cent of five year olds in Enfield has received vaccines, while it is only 84. 4 per cent in the UK as a whole.
The World Health Organization had stated that the UK had lost its measles elimination status following outbreaks in 2024.
People must identify this contagious diseases through symptoms like high fever, sore, red and watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, small white spots inside the mouth, blotchy red or brown rash on skin especially behind the ears or on the face, etc.
