LONDON, Jan 19, 2024 – The UK’s public health protection agency has raised concerns about falling measles vaccination rates among children, urging a national call to action to address the issue. Jenny Harries, head of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), warned that measles was spreading within unvaccinated communities, highlighting a current outbreak that could potentially escalate.
Harries acknowledged that some members of the Muslim community have reservations about certain vaccines due to a pork-based derivative present in one of them. However, she emphasized that an alternative vaccine was available and highly effective. With a sense of urgency, Harries urged the public to remember the severity of measles, emphasizing that it could even be fatal in rare cases.
Previously, the UK had achieved measles elimination status, but the average number of children starting school with both doses of the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine has declined to only 85 percent. One area that has raised concerns is the central West Midlands region of England, where an ongoing outbreak has resulted in 216 laboratory-confirmed cases and 103 likely cases since October 1, 2023. The city of Birmingham alone accounted for 80 percent of these cases.
Vaccination rates have been dropping across the country, with specific concerns about certain areas, including parts of London. The lowest rates were observed in Hackney, where only 56.3 percent of children have been vaccinated, according to the latest health service figures.
Harries addressed the issue of lower vaccine uptake within Muslim communities, stating, For the West Midlands, for those in Muslim communities, they will be not keen to take up one of the MMR vaccines that we offer, which has a pork-based derivative.
Highlighting the global impact of the issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that only about 83 percent of children worldwide received one dose of the measles vaccine by their first birthday, marking the lowest rate since 2008. In 2021, an estimated 128,000 measles-related deaths occurred worldwide, predominantly among under-vaccinated or unvaccinated children under the age of five.
The UKHSA’s call to action aims to address declining vaccination rates and prevent the further spread of measles. Efforts will be made to raise awareness about the alternative vaccine available and to ensure that communities are informed about its effectiveness and safety.
As the concerns around measles persist, it is crucial for parents and caregivers to understand the importance of vaccination in protecting children from this highly contagious and potentially serious illness. By maintaining high vaccination rates, the UK can strive to regain its measles elimination status and protect its population from the preventable dangers of the disease.
With measles cases on the rise and vaccination rates falling, health authorities are urging swift action to ensure the safety and well-being of the population. The consequences of a further outbreak could be severe, and it is vital for communities to trust in the effectiveness and safety of the available vaccines in order to prevent the spread of this infectious disease.
