Two children have died in measles outbreaks so far this year, with the airborne disease continuing to circulate in many parts of the country, health officials have announced. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported an increase in measles activity earlier this year, primarily due to outbreaks in London, the East of England, and the West Midlands.
The majority of cases are in unvaccinated children aged 10 years and under. It is understood that this is the first time two children have died from measles in a single year in England and Wales since 2018. A further 106 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been reported in England in the last two weeks, bringing the total number of cases confirmed between January 1 and June 8 to 736. This compares to 959 cases for the whole of 2025.
Health Officials Urge Vaccination
Dr. Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, expressed condolences to the families who lost their children. She stated: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the families who have so tragically lost their children. Measles continues to circulate in many parts of the country and, as we have seen, it can be very serious and even fatal.”
She urged all parents to ensure their children are up to date with their MMR or MMRV vaccines, which provide the best and safest protection against measles. Anyone who has missed out on their measles vaccines can catch up through their GP practice, regardless of age. Getting vaccinated also helps protect babies who are too young to be vaccinated and people unable to have the vaccine due to health conditions.
Measles Complications and Vaccination Rates
Measles is spread through the air or water droplets breathed, coughed, or sneezed by infected people. In rare cases, it can lead to blindness, deafness, and brain problems, as well as death. Sufferers are infectious from the first symptoms until four days after the rash appears.
Earlier this year, there were growing concerns about low vaccination rates, with children who had not received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) jab potentially being sent home from school during an outbreak. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that measles, which was considered eliminated in the UK from 2021 to 2023, was re-established from 2024 as vaccine coverage fell below the 95% required to achieve herd immunity.
UK vaccination rates are now the lowest in over a decade. In 2024-25, 91.9% of five-year-olds had one dose of MMR, and just 83.7% had both doses. Uptake of the MMR vaccine began declining after a 1998 report falsely linked the jab with autism.
Government Response
Health Secretary James Murray sent his condolences to the families, saying: “My thoughts are with the families who have suffered such unimaginable loss. These deaths are a heartbreaking reminder that measles is not a harmless childhood illness. Measles can lead to serious complications that can be fatal, and the MMR vaccine, which has saved countless lives, remains the best protection we have against this highly infectious disease.”
He urged all parents and carers to check that their children are up to date with their vaccinations, emphasizing that it is never too late to catch up. By ensuring children are vaccinated, they are protected and the most vulnerable in communities are safeguarded.
