Measles Elimination Status Lost

The UK has lost its measles elimination status from the World Health Organization (WHO) after vaccination rates stagnated and cases rose. From 2021 to 2023, the country was considered “extinct,” but global health authorities say measles transmission was reintroduced in the UK in 2024.

Current Situation

Immunization rates have stagnated in recent years, with recorded measles infections in the UK rising to 3,681 in 2024. Spain, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan also lost their status, and the WHO urged countries to increase vaccination rates to prevent the disease from infecting more children.

Vaccination Rates

The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures for England show that in 2024-25, only 83.7% of five-year-olds had received both doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, a fall from 83.9% in the same period last year. That was the lowest level since 2009/10. Also in 2024-25, about 91.9% of five-year-olds had received a dose of the MMR vaccine, which is unchanged from 2023-24 and is the lowest figure since 2010-11.

Herd Immunity

The WHO recommends that at least 95% of children should be vaccinated against each disease to achieve herd immunity. “Infections can recur quickly if vaccination in children declines,” said a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA. “Measles elimination is only possible if all eligible children receive two doses of MMRV before school.”

New Vaccination Program

Since the beginning of January, children have been offered a combined MMRV vaccination, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, instead of the MMR vaccination, as part of the routine two-dose childhood vaccination. Dose one is offered at one year of age and dose two has been advanced from three years and four months to a new date at 18 months of age.

Wider Challenge

A WHO spokesman said the UK’s change in status "reflects a wider challenge" facing the organization with a view of all of Europe. “Outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases pose a threat to health security in Europe,” they added. It is extremely worrying that we now have areas in the UK with low or no vaccination uptake, and we need to take immediate action.