Another piece of bad news.
UK loses measles elimination status
Author: Nick Triggle, Health correspondent
Publication: BBC News
Date: 1 day ago (January 26, 2026)
URL: Click here for the article
Summary:
The World Health Organization has announced that the UK has lost its measles elimination status due to the spread of cases in 2024, when there were 3,600 suspected cases. Elimination status indicates no sustained transmission of the disease.
The UK was first declared measles-free in 2017, lost the status in 2019, regained it in 2021 (largely due to pandemic social distancing), but outbreaks in late 2023 led to increased spread in 2024. The decision reflects vaccination rates falling below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity.
At the end of 2024, vaccination uptake was 92% for the first dose and just below 85% for the second dose. The NHS is implementing measures to boost uptake, including offering the second MMR dose earlier at a new 18-month appointment. Health officials emphasize that measles is vaccine-preventable and call for easier access to GPs, more health visitors for home immunizations, and efforts to counter vaccine misinformation.
Quotes:
"Infections can return quickly when childhood vaccine uptake falls - measles elimination is only possible if all eligible children receive two MMRV doses before school. The NHS is making vaccination easier, including offering the second MMRV dose earlier at a new 18-month appointment to boost uptake and support elimination goals." - Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA
"Measles is an infection that can be prevented by vaccine - and it's extremely concerning that in the UK we now have pockets of low or no vaccine uptake. We urgently need to remedy this situation." - Dr Bharat Pankhania, University of Exeter
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