A “Devastating Resurgence” of Measles as Vaccinations Hit Its All-Time Low
Baby with Measles (Source CDC.gov)
Doctors have been alerted to watch out for a “devastating resurgence” of measles in the UK.
It is the first time in years since the Royal College Of Paediatrics And Child Health (RCPCH) has issued national guidance.
NHS data reveals that no vaccines in England met the World Health Organization (WHO) 95% coverage target.
According to the latest figures, only 84.5% had received a second dose of the MMR vaccine, which is at its lowest since 2011.
WHO revealed that deaths from measles globally rose by 43% from 2021 to 2022.
Laboratory tests showed that from 1 January to 30 September, there were 149 measles cases in England.
‘Where is the Vaccination Strategy?’
RCPCH stated that doctors may not be familiar with the symptoms of measles and recommends healthcare workers to encourage MMR vaccinations for those who are not already immunized.
Dr Camilla Kingdon, president of RCPCH, said: “Having to consider measles in our national guidance for the first time in decades is a disappointing but necessary move.”
“Vaccination coverage for children under five is now the lowest it has ever been in the past 10 years”.
“We are already starting to see the effects of this with measles outbreaks occurring in London, Wales and Leicester.”
“Many paediatricians I know live in fear of potential measles outbreaks this winter.”
“The winter period is always an extremely tough time for all health care professionals, with high surges in RSV and influenza, as well as circulating COVID-19 and Group A Strep.”
“To add another highly contagious and dangerous disease into the mix would be disastrous and could bring our already fragile system to its knees.”
“We now find ourselves once again asking the government, where is the long-awaited vaccination strategy?”
“The UK government must acknowledge these low uptake figures and focus on ensuring equal access to vaccinations across all regions and socioeconomic groups.”
Kingdon has urged the government to publish its “overdue” vaccination strategy.
The symptoms to look out for
Measles is an infection that can spread rapidly. It first starts as a cold- like symptom, followed by a rash.
NHS informed people get spots in their mouths.
The symptoms include:
- High temperature
- A running or blocked nose
- Sneezing and coughing
- Red, sore, watery eyes
If you’ve had measles and received the MMR vaccine, it’s unlikely you’ll get the disease again.
The NHS suggests if you suspect measles, contact your GP by phone before going into the surgery or dial 111 for help.
