MEASLES cases have risen in Scotland with 22 confirmed cases in 2025 so far — two less than the total number of cases in 2024.
The cases come after new figures showed a decrease in the uptake of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations in Scots, as part of a global trend.
The first does of the vaccine is offered by the NHS to children once they hit one year of age.
Last year, 92.8% of Scottish children received it by 24 months old, rising to 95.1% by the time they hit five-year-old. However, this is still reaching the recommended figure by the World Health Organisation of 95%.
Compared to 2020, that’s a drop of 2.1% and 1.4%.
A second booster is offered once they reach three years and four months.
In 2024, 88.7% of children received the booster by the age of five, rising to 90% by six-years-old.
In 2024, England experienced a greater decline in MMR vaccination uptake. By their fifth birthday, only 83.9% of children had received both doses of the MMR vaccine, the lowest level since 2009/10.
In some cities, including Liverpool, Manchester and Nottingham, only 75% of five-year-olds are fully vaccinated, NHS figures previously showed.
In Wales, specifically for children reaching their fifth birthday between April and June 2024, 89.6% had received both doses of the MMR vaccine.
Dr Aravinda Guntupalli, a senior lecturer in public health, said: “Public health monitoring is happening, especially in Scotland, and the UK, and various other countries.
“There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that taking vaccination will impact health. Otherwise, our public health data that is collated in a very clear manner, with an evidence-based approach, would show something.
“Given that it doesn’t show, there is no need to fear.”
Public Health Scotland has said it is carefully monitoring the situation, stressing that vaccination is safe and effective as prevention against the highly infectious disease.
