Half of children are not vaccinated against measles in some areas
East London’s Hackney has the lowest uptake of measles vaccinations in the country, with just 56.3 percent of children receiving the MMR jab. Local authorities in Hackney, as well as in Birmingham, are warning parents that unvaccinated children may be required to self-isolate for up to three weeks if their classmates contract measles.
Birmingham, now at the epicenter of the worst measles outbreak since the 1990s, has seen over 300 confirmed or likely cases since October. In a bid to curb the spread of the disease, unvaccinated children have been excluded from schools for up to 21 days, and catch-up vaccination clinics have been set up for parents, staff, and children.
The latest figures reveal that London has the lowest uptake of MMR jabs, with 14 boroughs demonstrating the worst vaccination rates. Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, and Birmingham also have low vaccination rates, with only 73.6, 74.5, 75.1, and 75.1 percent of children receiving both vaccine doses by the age of five, respectively.
To address the low vaccination rates, GP practices across the country have been instructed to recall children between the ages of one and five who have not been vaccinated, as well as accommodate requests for older children and young people up to the age of 25.
Health officials have declared a national incident due to the widespread nature of the disease in the West Midlands. The outbreak, believed to be the largest in England in decades, is attributed to reduced vaccine uptake during the pandemic, school closures, diversion of vaccinators for COVID-19 vaccinations, and increased anti-vaccine sentiments.
In Birmingham, unvaccinated children who have had contact with a measles-infected child have been sent home from school for up to three weeks. Catch-up vaccination clinics are taking place in schools throughout the West Midlands to address concerns that cases will surge during the spring term.
Birmingham City Council issued a letter to parents warning of the rising cases of measles among young children who have not been vaccinated. The letter cautions that unvaccinated individuals who come into contact with someone with measles may be advised to self-isolate for three weeks, which could disrupt their education or work.
Schools have enforced this measure, with the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) stating that children who have not received any vaccine doses are required to stay home if they have been exposed to measles. However, if they have received at least one dose, they may remain in school.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital has treated 50 measles cases in the past month, a significant increase compared to the norm. The highly contagious nature of the disease is a concern, with predictions indicating that approximately nine out of 10 unvaccinated individuals would contract measles if exposed to an infected individual.
The latest data from the West Midlands shows 198 lab-confirmed measles cases, with just four being travel-related and 104 categorized as likely cases. This outbreak is believed to be the largest in England since the mid-90s.
Efforts are underway to address the situation and prevent further spread of the disease. It is crucial for parents to ensure their children receive the MMR vaccine to protect themselves and prevent the resurgence of measles outbreaks.
