Health experts have issued a warning after a surge in measles cases across parts of England, highlighting the need for immediate action. New statistics from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal a significant increase in measles cases, with 1,603 suspected cases reported in England and Wales in 2023. This represents a sharp rise from 735 cases in 2022 and just 360 cases the year before.
The West Midlands in particular has been heavily impacted, with 198 cases confirmed by laboratory testing and a further 104 probable cases. Birmingham, where around 80% of cases are concentrated, has seen a concerning number of school-age children affected. Many of these children have not received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital has experienced an overwhelming influx of measles patients, treating over 50 children for the disease in the past month alone. The highly contagious nature of measles makes it imperative to achieve a vaccination coverage of 95% in order to establish herd immunity.
The decline in vaccination rates can be attributed to unfounded claims linking the MMR vaccine to autism, which led to a decrease in children receiving the necessary vaccination in the 1990s and 2000s. As a result, the UK lost its measles-free status just three years after eliminating virus transmission.
While the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the UK measles-free in 2016, recent figures show that only 89.3% of children are vaccinated by their second birthday since 2022/23. Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Chair of the UK Health Department’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, emphasized the urgent need to vaccinate more children to prevent hospital admissions and potential deaths.
Prof Pollard stated that the rise in unvaccinated children was the main factor contributing to the current measles outbreak. He stressed the power of the vaccine in protecting children and urged immediate action to avoid severe infections, brain damage, and fatalities.
The UKHSA previously warned of a potential measles outbreak with tens of thousands of cases in London if MMR vaccination rates did not improve. Prior to the introduction of the vaccine in 1968, England and Wales witnessed between 160,000 and 800,000 cases of measles annually. The vaccine is estimated to have prevented 20 million cases and 4,500 deaths since its introduction.
The UKHSA stressed the importance of ensuring children receive the two recommended doses of the MMR vaccine. The National Health Service (NHS) emphasized that measles has no specific treatment and vaccination remains the most effective protection against the disease.
Dr Naveed Syed, UKHSA West Midlands Consultant in Health Protection, highlighted the rising cases of measles in the region. With vaccination rates below the necessary 95% threshold, the disease has gained a foothold in communities, particularly schools. Dr Syed urged those who have not received two doses of the MMR vaccine to get immunized as soon as possible.
It is crucial to address this growing measles outbreak by raising awareness about the importance of vaccination. Failure to act promptly could lead to further spread of the disease and subsequent harm to vulnerable individuals. The efforts to control measles should serve as a wake-up call, underlining the need for proactive measures to protect children from one of the most dangerous infections they may face.
