Health officials in the United Kingdom are urging parents to schedule measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations for their children, as there has been a rise in measles cases and a decline in vaccination rates over the past ten years.

The National Health Service plans to launch a promotional effort following statistics revealing approximately 250 confirmed instances of measles in certain regions of England last year. The majority of these cases were found in children under the age of 10.

The United Kingdom offers the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine in two doses to all children. The first dose is given at 12 months, followed by a second dose at 3 years. According to Jenny Harries, the chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, vaccination rates have decreased to around 85% nationally and are even lower in certain areas of London.

She mentioned that the current population coverage is not safe enough and needs to be at least 95%, according to the World Health Organization.

According to public health authorities, over 3.4 million children under the age of 16 are vulnerable and in danger of contracting preventable illnesses.

In 2017, the U.K. officially declared that measles had been eliminated, indicating that the disease was no longer present in the country.

However, transmissions resumed as epidemics emerged in other parts of Europe. Authorities stated that outbreaks can occur in any location where vaccine coverage falls below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity.

According to WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there was a 40% increase in global measles fatalities in November. Additionally, there was a rise in cases due to a significant decrease in vaccination rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Measles is one of the most contagious illnesses and is transmitted through the air when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. It primarily affects children under the age of 5 and presents with symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and a unique rash.

Infection may result in lasting physical harm, such as hearing loss. The majority of fatalities are caused by additional issues such as encephalitis, extreme dehydration, significant respiratory difficulties, and pneumonia.

Harries stated that there is a significant presence of false information regarding vaccines and advised individuals to seek guidance from reliable sources.

Authorities reported that extensive press coverage during the late 1990s regarding the debunked connection between the MMR vaccine and autism resulted in a decline in vaccinations. It took several years for the situation to improve.

Helen Bedford, a professor of children’s health at University College London, stated that decreases in vaccination rates have been made worse by the pandemic and opposition to vaccines.

“The ongoing pandemic and the introduction of new vaccines have sparked increased public interest and inquiries regarding vaccination. These may pertain to concerns about safety, effectiveness, and the necessity of vaccinating against diseases such as measles, which have become rare in the U.K.,” she stated. “While it is important to encourage questions about vaccination, it is equally important to have trained personnel available to address them.”