Key Summary
- More than half (52 per cent) are in London, 17 per cent in the West Midlands and 10 per cent in the North West.
- This year, 883 measles cases have been recorded in England till July 6, while there were 959 cases throughout 2025.
- NHS England has this week launched a major drive to improve vaccination coverage.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed the death of an adult from measles, as cases continue to rise at a faster rate than last year.
This year, 883 confirmed measles cases have been recorded in England till July 6, while there were 959 cases throughout 2025.
Health officials claim that the adult who died of measles had an “underlying immunological problem”. In June, two children in England died from measles.
Among the confirmed measles cases, a majority of them are children aged under 10, and London is the worst affected.
While all regions of England have reported cases, more than half (52 per cent) are in London, 17 per cent in the West Midlands and 10 per cent in the North West.
UKHSA consultant epidemiologist Dr Vanessa Saliba has said they are seeing 'localised outbreaks' in London and other parts of the country, and those not protected by vaccines are at higher risk.
NHS England has this week launched a major vaccination drive running until March 2027 to protect around one million children against the spread of measles and other potentially deadly illnesses, and improve the vaccine coverage in this age group.
The targeted catch-up campaign invites families with children aged between 12 months and 11 years old, who have missed one or both doses of their routine immunisations, to come forward.
Parents of eligible children are being contacted directly by their local GP, or receive invitations via the NHS App, SMS, email, or letter.
The nationwide measles vaccination rate has dropped to 84.1 percent, falling significantly short of the 95 percent target set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to maintain herd immunity.
