Measles Is Hitting This Age Group The Hardest In England This Year

Children aged one to four years old have seen the most (32% of) confirmed cases of measles this year compared to other age groups in England, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).This group is closely followed by children aged 5-10 years old who make up 22% of cases and those under the age of one who account for 14% of cases, according to the data spanning January to June 2025.Since 1 January, there have been 529 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England. Most of these cases (44%) have been in London, with a further 12% found in the East of England, and 12% in the North West. There have been 27 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Scotland this year and 27 “clinically suspected” measles cases in Northern Ireland – it’s not clear how old patients were. Data doesn’t appear to be available for Wales. There has also been a “considerable rise” in measles cases across Europe over the past year, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). On Sunday, it was reported that a child in the UK had sadly died from the disease. Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool confirmed the death to the BBC, which reported 17 children have been treated in the hospital for measles since June. Liverpool reportedly has one of the lowest rates of childhood MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine take-up in the country.Dr Vanessa Saliba, epidemiologist at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), told HuffPost UK: “Measles is preventable with two doses of the MMR vaccine, but many thousands of children around the country are still not vaccinated and may be at risk.“MMR offers the best protection against measles and importantly vaccination is also about not spreading the disease to others who may be more vulnerable, such as those who are immunosuppressed and young infants aged under one who have not yet had the vaccine.”In the UK, children are offered the MMR vaccine at 12 months old. The second dose is given at three years and four months old. Why don’t babies have the MMR jab?“The first dose of the MMR vaccine is offered to children routinely on their first birthday,” a UKHSA spokesperson told HuffPost UK in an email.“Babies under the age of 1 are not offered the MMR vaccine routinely because at this age many of them will not respond to the vaccine.”As a result, they rely on the rest of us getting vaccinated to protect them.Yet figures show there has been a consistent decline in uptake of the childhood vaccination programme over the last decade.Why are parents opting out of the vaccine?Alder Hey Children’s Hospital previously blamed the increase in measles cases on a drop in MMR vaccine uptake among children.While some cite vaccine hesitancy as a reason why parents aren’t getting their kids vaccinated, a report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) suggested it’s not the only factor. This tracks with a recent survey that found high levels of confidence among parents when it comes to the UK’s childhood vaccination programme – most parents (85%) believe vaccines are safe.Some of the other barriers parents face include: difficulties getting through to book appointments at GP surgeries, difficulties getting time off work for appointments, and not enough clear information about what jabs their child needs and when.Dr Helen Stewart, officer for health improvement at RCPCH, said: “The reality is that there are many who simply need better support and easier access to appointments.”How to protect babies from measlesThe UKHSA said to protect a young baby from measles, parents should make sure the infant’s siblings and any family members coming into contact with them are fully vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine.“Two doses of the MMR vaccine gives excellent lifelong protection against measles,” they added.If you’re unsure whether your children are up to date with their vaccines, check their Red Book or call your GP surgery. Vaccination also helps protect any family members with weakened immune systems – for instance, people receiving cancer treatment. As the UKHSA’s spokesperson explained: “Some individuals may have been fully vaccinated in the past but have since developed a medical condition and/or are receiving treatment, such as cancer therapy, that can wipe out their immunity, leaving them at much greater risk.”This is vitally important as children under one, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems, are at greater risk of serious illness and complications from measles.Complications can include chest and ear infections, fits, diarrhoea, encephalitis (infection of the brain) and brain damage. In some cases, it can be fatal. Washing hands regularly, using tissues when you cough and sneeze, and throwing any used tissues straight in the bin can help prevent the spread of infectious illnesses like measles.What are the symptoms of measles? Superdrug’s pharmacy superintendent Niamh McMillan previously told HuffPost UK that measles typically begins with cold-like symptoms, which can make it difficult to distinguish from other common illnessesThe symptoms typically include:a high temperaturerunny or blocked nosesneezinga coughred, sore, watery eyes.One symptom that might appear and can help distinguish the virus from a cold is the appearance of Koplik spots.These white spots can be found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek and might then move onto the back of the lips a few days later. (Not everyone will develop them, however.)Then there’s the distinctive red rash which can show up a number of days later.This is the “most typical symptom of measles, which usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body”, said McMillan.“It usually appears three to five days after first signs of symptoms and lasts for several days. The rash can be flat or slightly raised and join together into larger patches.”According to the NHS, the rash can look brown or red on white skin and may be harder to see on brown and black skin.What to do if you suspect your child has measlesIf you think your child has measles, call NHS 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment – call the surgery before going in as measles is very contagious. UKHSA’s spokesperson said the surgery may need to make arrangements for you to visit at the end of the day so that you avoid contact with people who are more vulnerable to the infection.Your child should also avoid school for at least four days from when they first develop the measles rash. “Make arrangements to have any outstanding doses of the vaccine once you have recovered,” said UKHSA’s spokesperson. “This will protect you against the other two infections which the MMR vaccine protects against, mumps and rubella.”You can see the full NHS vaccination schedule for young children here. Update: This article has been amended to clarify the second MMR dose is currently given at three years and four months old.Related...Measles Cases In The US Just Hit 1,000. RFK Jr Still Isn't Taking It Seriously.Measles Or A Cold? How To Tell Them Apart'My Mum Doesn't Want Me To Vaccinate My Child – What Do I Do?'

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