MMR vaccination

There has been a concerning rise in measles cases across London. Since January 2026, 99 confirmed cases have been reported. Of these, 85 cases in children aged 1 year and over had no recorded MMR vaccination. Outbreaks have been identified in parts of north-east London, with spread occurring in schools and nurseries.

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, meningitis, seizures, blindness, deafness, hospitalisation, and, in rare cases, death.
Measles vaccines (MMR and the recently introduced MMRV) are safe and highly effective. Two doses provide around 99% protection against measles. Vaccination not only protects individual children but also helps safeguard vulnerable groups, including immunosuppressed individuals, unvaccinated pregnant women, and infants under 12 months.
Vaccination rates in South East London remain well below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks. Despite this relatively low take up, parental confidence remains high: 87% of UK parents agree that vaccines work for children, and GPs remain the most trusted source of vaccine information, according to a 2025 UKHSA survey.

Reasons why parents do not vaccinate include practical barriers, competing priorities, lack of awareness that a vaccine is due, safety concerns, negative past experiences with healthcare, or belief in vaccine misinformation due to a variety of psychological drivers.

Public health are planning to send parents of nursery and primary school children a letter reminding them of the value of MMR vaccination.