MEASLES OUTBREAK IN LONDON SCHOOLS AS CHILDREN HOSPITALISED

Dozens of children across seven schools have been infected with measles in a "fast-spreading" outbreak.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recorded 34 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Enfield, north London, in January.

A local GP surgery said infections had been confirmed in "at least" seven schools in Enfield and neighbouring Haringey.

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"Many children are being hospitalised" due to a "fast spreading measles outbreak in several schools across Enfield", Enfield's NHS Ordnance Unity Centre For Health said on its website. "Parents should ensure that their children are fully immunised."

The surgery added that one in five children who contracted the disease had been admitted to hospital, all of whom "had not been fully immunised".

Parents are being urged to ensure their children are up to date with all immunisations by checking their child's 'red book' or contacting the practice nurse.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said the "big" outbreak was "mostly affecting unvaccinated children under 10 in schools and nurseries".

She said: "Measles is a nasty illness for any child, but for some it can lead to long term complications and tragically death, but is so easily preventable with two doses of the MMRV [measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox] vaccine."

The latest UKHSA figures show a plateau in vaccination coverage and a surge in cases, with 3,681 cases recorded in the UK in 2024.

In England, 91.9 per cent of five-year-olds received one dose of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine in 2024/25, unchanged from 2023/24 and the lowest level since 2010/11.

Only 83.7 per cent of five-year-olds received both MMR doses, down from 83.9 per cent the previous year and the lowest level since 2009/10.

The World Health Organization recommends that at least 95 per cent of children receive vaccine doses for each illness to achieve herd immunity.

Health officials announced in January that UK children would now be offered the MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.

A WHO spokesperson said the UK’s drop in coverage "reflects a broader challenge" that the organisation is facing across Europe.

They added: "Outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases are threats to health security in Europe, alongside antimicrobial resistance and other emerging threats.

"Persistent immunity gaps led to a region-wide resurgence in measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases in 2024 and a decrease in the number of countries that have achieved or sustained measles elimination status."

2026-02-15T09:43:29Z