Fewer children in Bristol are protected against measles, mumps and rubella than anywhere else in the southwest, according to figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The data, collected in 2021/2022, shows that in Bristol, only 88.7 per cent of children had received one dose of the MMR vaccine by the age of two, just under the national average of 89.2 per cent and well below the average for the South West of 93.2 per cent.
Across the rest of the region, uptake rates of the single dose of the vaccine are above 90 per cent, with neighbouring Bath and North East Somerset at 95 per cent and South Gloucestershire at 95.2 per cent.
Read More: Measles cases spiking in South West as UKHSA issues warning to parents
In recent days, parents across the country have been urged to check their children are fully up to date on their measles vaccinations after the UKHSA warned of an increase in cases of the deadly virus this year. Data released by the UKHSA shows 49 cases of measles in the UK between January 1 and April 20 - the first 110 days of the year - compared with 54 cases in the whole of 2022.
Most cases have been confirmed in London, though six have been found in the South West.
The UKHSA has warned that in recent years that the number of children vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella has fallen. Uptake for the first dose of the MMR vaccine in 2-year-olds in the South West is 93.2 per cent, and uptake of two MMR doses at five years is 90.6 per cent, below the 95 per cent target set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is necessary to achieve and maintain elimination.
In Bristol, the uptake of two doses at five years old is just 84 per cent, the lowest level in the region. Meanwhile, Dorset has the highest uptake at 93.4 per cent
Speaking on BBC Radio Bristol today (May 10), Dr Charlotte Bigland from UKHSA said: "We think there has been a bit of a decrease [in vaccine uptake] because we know that during Covid, health services got entirely disrupted, and so lots of people with young children weren't able to go and get their routine vaccinations."
According to the UKHSA, standard childhood immunisations fell globally during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has left many children unprotected from severe infection. Measles is now circulating in many countries worldwide, and the WHO has warned that Europe is likely to see a resurgence unless countries catch up with children who missed out.
In the UK, the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, is free, and children are offered the first dose when they turn one and the second dose at three years and four months. The UKHSA is urging parents of young children, teenagers and adults to check that they are up to date with their MMR vaccines, particularly before they travel this summer and before attending summer festivals where measles can spread more quickly.
Symptoms of measles include a high fever, sore red, watery eyes and a blotchy red-brown rash, and it is particularly easy to catch in environments when in close contact with others. It is highly contagious and spreads easily.
Dr Charlotte Bigland told BBC Bristol that one of the factors affecting people's willingness to accept the vaccine was their lack of familiarity with the illness. She said: "Because we got rid of measles for a long time, lots of people have never seen measles, so they think it's not very serious. But actually, it can be phenomenally serious with hospitalisation, and about one in every thousand people with measles end up with serious brain damage."
She also said that misinformation about the vaccine was still a factor for some people, adding: "On the other hand, there's the issue of people being vaccine resistant. Every parent wants to do the very best for their child, but it's a case of finding the right information to allow you to make that decision.
"The MMR jab has had some really terrible misinformation campaigns around [scientific study] retractions and the fact there is no evidence for those issues. We know that it is a safe vaccine to have, and if people want information, they can go to the NHS website.
"We know now we need about 95% of people to have had their vaccine, and in England at the moment, we're looking at about 85%, so we know we've got a bit of catch-up. But the great news is we can catch up; it's never too late.
"People who don't know whether they had their vaccines can check their red book. If you find your missing one, call your GP practice and schedule a new one, it's that easy. You're not going to be told off for not having one or frowned at; they will just be thrilled people want to come and get their catch up."
Healthcare professionals have been alerted to the recent rise in cases and asked to be vigilant to further cases whilst also working with communities to increase vaccination uptake. Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, so anyone with symptoms is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice before visiting the surgery or A&E to prevent the illness from spreading further.
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