Several children ‘seriously unwell’ amid rise in measles cases as alert issued by NHS

A measles outbreak on Merseyside has left several children “seriously unwell”, a top NHS hospital has warned as it urged people to get vaccinated to help combat the spread of the disease.

The rise in cases, according to an alert on Alder Hey Children’s Hospital websites, is also driving an increase in patients attending its A&E.

The news comes amid falling coverage of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine across England, with the most recent data showing an 88 per cent coverage compared to a high of 95 per cent in 2016-17.

In an open letter, published on Monday, the trust’s senior directors warned: “Measles is putting children and young people at risk within our communities and our hospital. Several children are seriously unwell and receiving treatment at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

“Measles is on the rise amongst our children. We can all help stop it. Get vaccinated now.”

It warned that the reason there are more cases of the virus is because fewer people are having the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The most recent annual report for 2023-24 showed London had the lowest coverage rates at 81.8 per cent, while the North West had 88.8 per cent. The target set by the World Health Organisation for MMR vaccine coverage is 95 per cent.

The trust said the number of children being treated at Alder Hey hospital over measles is increasing and warned “children in hospital who are very poorly for another reason, are at higher risk of catching the virus.”

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Source: The Independent, 7 July 2025