Key Summary
- Measles cases rising due to falling MMR vaccination rates
- Experts urge action, warning protection drop is concerning
- New schedule: From Jan 2026, second MMR dose given at 18-month check for kids born after 1 July 2024
Public health leaders in Kent and Medway have urged parents and carers to ensure the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination is given to children, especially with the rising cases of measles across the globe.
Measles is a contagious viral infection, potentially harmful yet preventable with two doses of MMR jabs.
While, 84 per cent of Kent’s five-year-olds completed both their shots in 2023/24, Medway stood at 80 per cent. Medway’s vaccination rates had slightly fallen from 86 per cent and 82 per cent respectively.
Dr Anjan Ghosh, Kent County Council's director of public health commented that "any drop off in protection is concerning," even though it is a slight dip.
He stated that the return of measles resulting in 500 confirmed cases in the UK is due to the decrease in the number of children being vaccinated now.
However, Dr Gosh added that "Kent and Medway's vaccine rates remain higher than some", yet the inability in reaching the 95 per cent recommendation by the World Health Organisation (WHO) remains a drawback.
As a part of the national efforts to increase vaccine uptake, children born on or after 1 July 2024 will get their second MMR dose at a new 18-month check-up starting from January 1, 2026.
