‘We must act now’: Expert’s stark measles warning after outbreaks erupt in parts of England

Health experts have warned “we must act now” as measles cases have soared across the country amid an increase in unvaccinated children.

There were 1,603 suspected cases of measles in England and Wales in 2023, new statistics from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show.

MMR cases have increased significantly in the last two years - in 2022, there were 735 cases, and just 360 the year before.

On Friday, Birmingham Children’s Hospital said it had become inundated with the highest number of children with measles in decades. The hospital treated more than 50 children for the disease in the last month.

Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Chair of the UK Health Department's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, warned that unless more children are vaccinated there will be an increase in hospital admissions and even deaths.

He told The Independent: “The main reason for this new outbreak is the increase in unvaccinated children in the last few years.

“Vaccinations have decreased below 90 per cent and this is dangerous. The vaccine is powerful if we use it, and it will protect our children.

“We must act now and the increased cases are a warning that there will be consequences if we don’t. There will be children with severe infections, brain damage and even death.”

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Source: The Independent, 15 January 2024