In response to a rise in measles cases across England, particularly in London, the UK Health Security Agency is urging parents to ensure children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella.
The UK Health Security Agency has launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging the vaccination of children against measles, amidst a rise in cases across England, particularly in London. The campaign is a response to the drop in vaccination rates that have been affected by the pandemic, specifically targeting parents to remind them of the importance of having their children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Despite the proven effectiveness of the vaccine, current data reveals that only 85% of children in the UK have completed the two-dose vaccination regimen. This figure falls short of the 95% coverage needed to achieve herd immunity, raising concerns among health officials over the potential resurgence of preventable diseases. With over 650 confirmed cases of measles in England since October, the urgency for increased vaccination rates is underscored by the danger measles poses, including severe complications such as blindness and meningitis.
The increase in measles cases has prompted health authorities to actively reach out to parents and young adults who might have missed their vaccinations, encouraging them to contact their general practitioners to get the MMR jab. Prof Dame Jenny Harries of the UK Health Security Agency has emphasized the risk that unvaccinated individuals pose not only to themselves but also to others, highlighting the critical nature of this vaccination campaign in protecting public health.
