Huge pressure to vaccinate 900,000 young adults from the ‘Wakefield Generation’ against MMR during the worst measles outbreak in a decade

Almost a million young adults are being invited for an MMR jab in one of the biggest vaccine catch-ups in the history of the NHS.

Many born in the late 1990s and early 2000s are part of the so-called ‘Wakefield generation’ and missed the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as children.

Now health officials are targeting 19- to 25-year-olds using pop-up vaccination clinics at universities, sports centers and other public places in areas where measles outbreaks are ongoing.

The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows the outbreak is slowing, with 733 cases of measles now confirmed in England.

But with such high infection rates, officials are concerned that numbers could still spiral out of control in areas with low vaccination rates.

Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, medical epidemiologist for immunization at UKHSA, said: ‘Anyone who has not been vaccinated against measles can become infected.

‘If you are not vaccinated, you also risk spreading the disease to others, including those most at risk of becoming seriously ill – such as babies, who cannot get their MMR vaccine until their first birthday, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. .

‘The MMR injection also protects against complications due to mumps in young adults. I strongly urge anyone who has not been vaccinated to protect themselves and the vulnerable around them.”

From today, more than 900,000 young people in the West Midlands, London and Greater Manchester will be encouraged to get both or another excellent dose of the jab.

Measles cases are now at their highest levels in more than a decade, with officials launching campaigns to boost uptake of all childhood vaccines, as well as catch-up programs

This graph shows how vaccination rates have dramatically reduced measles cases compared to historic peaks, but experts are concerned about falling vaccination rates

Measles cases are now at their highest levels in more than a decade, with officials launching campaigns to boost uptake of all childhood vaccines, as well as catch-up programs. Cases confirmed by local or reference laboratory testing. There is a delay in data reporting. Source: UKHSA

Cold symptoms, such as fever, coughing and a runny or stuffy nose, are usually the first sign of measles. A few days later, some people develop small white spots on the inside of their cheeks and the back of their lips. The characteristic rash of measles also develops, usually starting on the face and behind the ears, before spreading to the rest of the body.

Experts say the high number is due to many parents not vaccinating their children against the MMR vaccine as a result of a now-discredited study by gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield in 1998.

Although Wakefield was later struck from the medical register and the article was retracted by the Lancet, the damage means that many who were children at the time were never fully vaccinated.

Measles cases are now at their highest levels in more than a decade, with officials launching campaigns to boost uptake of all childhood vaccines, as well as catch-up programs.

Steve Russell, NHS director of vaccinations and screening, said: ‘Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world and can cause serious harm to adults and children of all ages.

‘But the NHS MMR vaccine provides lifelong protection against becoming seriously ill, so with measles cases on the rise it’s not worth the risk to go without this vital protection.

‘Measles, mumps and rubella are preventable, but contracting them is easy if people are not vaccinated. That is why I urge people to come forward and get the MMR vaccine sooner rather than later.”