Earlier this month a child died in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital of measles. Alder Hey stated that it had treated 17 children for complications of measles since June 2025. These 17 children must have caught the measles from other people, therefore there are others who have measles who hopefully have not had complications.
There were 529 recorded cases of measles in England from 1st January to 23 June 2025. There were 2911 cases recorded in the total of 2024. 2024 was the highest confirmed cases since 2012. In Liverpool, the uptake is only 73%.
Measles spreads easily. Its symptoms include cold-like symptoms (a high temperature, a runny nose, sneezing, a cough, and red, sore, watery eyes), white spots in the mouth and followed by a rash on the face, spreading to all-over the body. The rash spots are raised and join. It is usually self-limiting and starts to get better in one week. If you are unfortunate to get measles, rest and drink plenty of water. Take paracetamol if needed and use clean cotton wool soaked in warm water to remove crusts from the eyes.
MMR vaccination rates have fallen to 84% the lowest since 209-10. There is no doubt that the MMR vaccination is effective in preventing spread of measles. Vaccinations, like everything else is not without risk but the risk of measles is greater than the MMR vaccine.
The World Health Organisation recommends 95% vaccine uptake to achieve herd immunity. Herd immunity is when it is difficult for an infectious disease to spread because there are few people infected. If someone with measles is surrounded but people who are vaccinated against measles, the person cannot pass the measles to someone else, and the disease will disappear.
Herd immunity gives protection to vulnerable people and those who are not vaccinated, eg babies and the elderly whose immunity may be weakened.
Why had there been a reduced uptake in childhood vaccinations. 2 MMR vaccines are the gold-standard at age one year and the second at 3 years and 4 months. Following 2 MMR vaccinations there is 99% protection against measles. It is quite difficult to receive the vaccines outside of these times on the NHS, this is very unfortunate. You cannot have the vaccinations if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system. You also cannot have it if you have had an allergic reaction to the vaccine.
The outbreaks are disproportionately in disadvantaged areas. Why? Austerity has led to Public Health and education spending cuts. The “Sure Start” have been reduced and closed in the austerity measures. These centres offered health services and education, and their loss has been felt most in deprived areas. Health visitors numbers, who would have had relationships with the families of children, has been reduced by 40% since 2015.
From the NHS website it says, “after six to ten days, the measles vaccine starts to work and may cause a fever, a measles-like rash, and loss of appetite. Individuals with vaccine-associated symptoms are not infectious to others.” It recommends that you seek help immediately if there is a raised temperature of 39 or more or if the person has a fit.
Sustained investment is needed to attain a high vaccine coverage.
What can you do? If you have not had your MMR (or single measles vaccination) consider having it if you are able. Ask your local council what they are doing for education of the public about measles. Ask you council and MP when the governments “Best Centres” will be opened near you.