Cases and clusters of cases of measles are being reported across the world as experts warn of “worryingly low” MMR vaccine uptake, with public health agencies urging parents to check the vaccination status of their children. Last year WHO announced an 18% increase of global measles cases thanks to “years of declines in measles vaccination coverage”. While some may consider measles a harmless childhood illness, WHO assures readers that it continues to “pose a relentlessly increasing threat to children”.
An update from UKHSA
The UKHSA released an update in February 2024 that suggested that “a further 60 laboratory confirmed measles cases” had been identified since the previous week. This took the total number of cases since 1st October 2023 to 581.
“The majority (379 of 581, 65%) of these cases are in children under the age of 10.”
As we previously noted, UKHSA is emphatic that MMR vaccination is the most effective way of limiting cases and severe illness or death. UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist Dr Vanessa Saliba commented that the “worryingly low MMR vaccine uptake” is driving the increase and encouraged parents to “protect their children from this serious illness”.
“Parents are already coming forward to take up the offer of the MMR vaccine for their children, but 100s of thousands of unvaccinated children are at risk of serious illness or life-long complications. The disease spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in schools and nurseries; however, measles is completely preventable with vaccination.”
Florida: in a state of contradiction
The UK is not unique in the increase of measles cases, but an interesting case study in communication from the US features controversial Surgeon General Dr Joseph Ladapo. In a letter to parents and guardians after reported cases in a primary school, Dr Ladapo “subverted” the CDC convention of encouraging unvaccinated pupils to stay away from school after exposure.
Dr Ladapo commented that his department is “deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance”, a phrase that has drawn negative attention from public health experts. Indeed, Dr Scott Rivkees, a predecessor of Dr Ladapo, stated that “this is not a parental rights issue”.
“It’s about protecting fellow classmates, teachers, and members of the community against measles, which is a very serious and very transmissible illness.”
Furthermore, President of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Paediatrics, Dr Thresia Gambon, is confused about why the health department “wouldn’t follow the CDC recommendations”.
“Measles is so contagious. It is very worrisome.”
This tension between public health experts undoubtedly creates confusion for parents and guardians, highlighting the importance of clear health communication to ensure that diseases can be controlled and contained. What is the measles situation in your area, and how is the issue communicated?
If this is an issue that interests you then you may enjoy Dr Michael Miller’s session on vaccine confidence and information at the Congress in Washington this April. Get your tickets here to join us for the talk, and don’t forget to subscribe to weekly newsletters here.
