“Concerns rise as UK sees increase in measles cases due to low vaccination rates”

Health officials in the UK have reported a “very concerning” increase in the number of measles cases, with 49 cases in the first four months of 2023 compared to just 54 cases in the entirety of the previous year. The virus spreads easily and a decline in vaccination rates is leaving more children vulnerable, prompting the UK Health Security Agency to encourage parents to ensure their children’s vaccinations are up to date. Symptoms of measles include fever and a rash, but the infection can cause serious complications like meningitis and be fatal. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is part of routine childhood immunizations, but disruptions to vaccination programs caused by Covid have left even more children unprotected. The World Health Organization has warned that decreased protection from vaccines creates a “perfect storm” for outbreaks. Measles vaccinations were first introduced in the UK in 1968 and have since prevented 20 million cases and 4,500 deaths.