New information reveals groups of suspected measles infections as the amount of reported cases all over the country continues to increase.
While the West Midlands, and especially Birmingham, continues to be the place with the most suspected infections, experts at the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are worried that cases are beginning to appear in other regions.
Recent testing shows at least 60 new cases were confirmed over the past seven days, including six in the south east of England, bringing the total number of infections up to nearly 600 since the beginning of October.
The UKHSA attributes the spread of cases, with 65% seen in children under the age of ten and around a quarter in young people and adults over the age of 15, to a slow uptake of the MMR vaccine in certain parts of the country.
Throughout England, just over 92% of children had at least one dose of the vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, by the age of five during the period 2022-23.
This represents a decrease from 93.4% in the previous year, and falls short of the target of 95.5%.
The overall number is also not indicative of regional differences. In Birmingham, the worst affected area, uptake is believed to be as low as 88.1%.
Since the beginning of this year, the UKHSA has been notified of more than 1,700 suspected cases of measles – representing a tenfold increase on the same period in 2023.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist with the agency, said: ‘As expected, due to worryingly low MMR vaccine uptake in some areas all over the country, we are now starting to see groups of cases in other areas.
‘We’re urging parents to protect their children from this serious illness with the MMR vaccine before it spreads further.
‘Parents are already coming forward to take up the offer of the MMR vaccine for their children, but hundreds of thousands of unvaccinated children are at risk of serious illness or life-long complications.
‘The disease spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in schools and nurseries, however measles is completely preventable with vaccination.’
She added: ‘Parents should check their child’s Red Book now to ensure that children are fully up to date with both their MMR jabs and all their routine vaccines.
‘Get in touch with your GP practice to catch up on any that have been missed, or if you’re unsure. Respond as soon as possible if the NHS is in touch for your child to catch up.’
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