Experts are warning parents to check their children have have had measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jabs before embarking on summer holidays or attending festivals where measles can easily spread.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published new data showing a rise in measles cases in England, with 49 cases between January 1 and April 20, compared to 54 cases for the whole of 2022. Most of the cases have been in London, though they have cropped up in other regions and some cases are linked to travel abroad.
Measles vaccinations have fallen in recent years, with uptake of the first MMR dose in two-year-olds in England being 89%, while uptake of two doses by age five is just 85%. This is well below the 95% target set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to eliminate the disease.
READ MORE: Major shakeup to GP appointments starting this month as new rules come in
The UKHSA warned that measles is highly infectious and can lead to serious problems such as pneumonia and meningitis, and sometimes long-term disability or death. It said it is particularly easy to catch in environments where people are in close contact, such as through increased mixing on holiday or at summer festivals.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: "We are calling on all parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with their two MMR doses. It's never too late to catch up, and you can get the MMR vaccine for free on the NHS whatever your age.
"Vaccines are our best line of defence against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella and help stop outbreaks occurring in the community. Measles spreads very easily and can lead to complications that require a stay in hospital and on rare occasions can cause lifelong disability or death, so it is very concerning to see cases starting to pick up this year.
"During the Covid-19 pandemic we saw a fall in uptake for the routine childhood vaccinations, including MMR, which leaves us vulnerable to outbreaks, especially as people travel abroad for summer holidays to places where measles is more common."
Parents can check their child's red book for vaccination status or contact their GP practice.
NHS director of vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: "The NHS has an inspiring history of successful vaccination programmes that have proven time and time again they are the best tool in our arsenal against the spread of highly infectious diseases and since vaccination for measles cases was introduced, over 4,500 lives have been saved.
"The MMR vaccine has helped prevent the development of potentially life-threatening illness among millions, and it is clear that when uptake falls, infections rise, so I strongly urge parents to review the status of their child's vaccinations so they can keep them and others protected from measles, mumps and rubella."
Symptoms of measles include a high fever, sore red watery eyes and a blotchy red/brown rash.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Dry mouth could be a 'red flag' for five serious illnesses
Man 'lost control of his body' after winning £99,000 on ITV's The 1% Club
GMB fans taken aback by Kate Garraway's age
Martin Lewis' warning to anyone who pays their energy bill by direct debit
New Look's £40 polka dot dress that's 'perfect for a wedding'
