In January 2024, as a “rapid rise in cases” is observed in the UK and other countries, the UKHSA Chief Executive has called for “immediate action” to increase measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination uptake. This trend in cases has been observed since October 2023, with at least 216 confirmed cases and 103 probable cases in the West Midlands. UKHSA reports that around 80% of these cases have been identified in Birmingham, and most patients are children under 10 years old. The UKHSA has declared a “national incident”, which signals the “growing public health risk” and allows the Agency to focus on limiting the spread.
Measles is highly infectious among the unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools. It can be “very unpleasant” and can be “very serious” for some children, leading to hospitalisations or deaths in rare cases. Furthermore, people in some high-risk groups are at increased risk of complications. Luckily, there is a safe and effective vaccine; over 99% of people who have had both doses are protected against measles and rubella. It also protects against mumps, in a slightly lower capacity.
Professor Dame Harries visits Birmingham
On 19th January, Chief Executive Professor Dame Jenny Harries visited Birmingham to engage with the “extensive clinical, health protection, epidemiological, and community engagement work” that is being carried out to contain the spread. Dame Harries has expressed “concern” that, due to some areas having low MMR vaccine uptake, there is a risk of the virus spreading.
In Birmingham, Dame Harries will visit the Birmingham Heartlands Hospital and meet with health professionals who are coordinating the response across the West Midlands. The UKHSA states that “learning what has worked and not worked” in this outbreak will be “key” to empowering other areas. Given examples include “successful interventions” like a pop-up vaccination clinic at a school in Coventry, street level community engagement on the importance of vaccination, and training and awareness raising of frontline professionals.
A need for action
Dame Harries recognised the work of her colleagues in “tirelessly” trying to control the outbreak but warned that “with vaccine uptake in some communities so low, there is now a very real risk of seeing the virus spread”.
“Children who get measles can be very poorly and some will suffer life changing complications.”
Dame Harries recommends parents protect their children by ensuring they get the MMR vaccine, with two doses offering “lifelong protection”. She emphasised that it is “never too late to catch up”.
“Immediate action is needed to boost MMR uptake across communities where vaccine uptake is low. We know from the pandemic that the communities themselves, and those providing services within them, will have the knowledge to best support local families to understand the risks of measles, to learn more about the vaccines that can protect them, and to enable innovative vaccine delivery approaches.”
She called for a “long-term concerted effort” to encourage protection and prevent “large” measles outbreaks.
Vaccination Strategy
The NHS England Vaccination Strategy was welcomed by UKSA in December, and it emphasised a focus on innovative delivery approaches. The UKHSA is committed to supporting national vaccination programmes, particularly MMR, which is part of the NHS Routine Childhood Programme. Doses are offered at 1 year old and again at 3 years 4 months. The vaccine is free, and parents are urged to check if their children have had both doses.
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