MMR Crisis: London Boroughs Below 80% Vaccination as Measles Outbreak Grows
New data reveals a stark public health emergency across England, with all London boroughs recording dangerously low MMR vaccination rates below 80 per cent for five-year-olds. This alarming shortfall comes as measles outbreaks are confirmed in the capital, leaving young children hospitalised and exposing widespread vulnerabilities in herd immunity.
London's Vaccination Deserts
According to the latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), no area of England has achieved the World Health Organization's recommended 95 per cent vaccination rate for measles, mumps, and rubella protection. In London, the situation is particularly dire. Enfield recorded just 64.3 per cent of five-year-olds receiving both MMR doses in 2024/25, while neighbouring Haringey reached only 65 per cent. Hackney posted an even lower rate of 58.3 per cent, meaning approximately one in two children are unprotected against measles in that borough.
These low vaccination rates have already translated into real-world outbreaks. From January 1 to February 9, 2026, the UKHSA reported 34 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Enfield alone, with over 60 suspected cases across seven schools and a nursery. Measles, one of the most contagious human diseases, can cause severe complications including encephalitis, blindness, and pneumonia.
National Picture: Major Cities at Risk
While London represents the epicentre of the vaccination crisis, other major English cities are also falling dangerously short of herd immunity targets. Birmingham records a vaccination rate of 75.5 per cent for five-year-olds with both MMR doses, Coventry 78.9 per cent, Nottingham 71.7 per cent, Liverpool 75.5 per cent, and Manchester 74.5 per cent. Northern cities similarly show rates below 85 per cent, indicating a nationwide pattern of inadequate protection.
The contrast with younger children highlights both hope and concern. For two-year-olds receiving their first MMR dose, just 11 locations in England achieve the 95 per cent threshold, including West Berkshire (95.3 per cent), Derbyshire (95.5 per cent), Barnsley (95.2 per cent), and Cumberland (95.9 per cent). However, this early protection often wanes as children age, with booster uptake insufficient.
Experts Warn of Vaccine Hesitancy and Herd Immunity Collapse
Professor Stuart Neil, a virology expert at King's College London, identifies multiple factors driving this crisis: "There are several reasons for vaccine hesitancy, including cultural factors in some communities, the rise of anti-vaccine disinformation, and reduced coverage during the pandemic when routine medical visits declined." He emphasises that measles vaccination requires over 90 per cent coverage to prevent community spread.
Professor Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia adds that vaccines remain the most effective defence against measles transmission. "Measles is the most infectious virus affecting humans. Non-pharmaceutical interventions have limited value in non-immune populations," he explains. He particularly highlights risks to infants under one year who cannot receive the MMR jab and rely entirely on herd immunity—protection that is dangerously absent in areas like Enfield.
Historical Context and Current Outbreaks
The UK previously held measles elimination status from 2021 to 2023, but the WHO confirmed transmission was "re-established" in 2024 as vaccination rates plateaued and cases surged. Since January 1, 2026, England has reported 96 laboratory-confirmed measles cases, with 64 per cent occurring in London and 26 per cent in the West Midlands—both regions with critically low MMR uptake.
Compounding the challenge, the traditional MMR vaccine is gradually being replaced by the MMRV vaccine, which also protects against varicella (chickenpox). This transition period requires clear public communication to maintain vaccination confidence and coverage.
The UKHSA data paints a clear picture: without urgent intervention to boost MMR vaccination rates, England faces continued measles outbreaks with potentially severe consequences for children's health, particularly in urban centres where protection is weakest.
