We all witnessed the amazing results that vaccines achieved during Covid. The mass rollout of jabs weakened an infection with high death rates in Britain and around the world.
So it is very worrying that vaccination rates for all routine childhood vaccinations are falling – meaning measles, which can be a serious disease, is on the rise.
In some parts of London, fewer than half of children have had the MMR jab, which protects against measles, which caused 104 cases in the capital last year.
The Midlands is also experiencing a surge in measles infections, as data from our Research and Surveillance Center and the UK Health Security Agency showed this week.
Too many infants and school-age children are not vaccinated. It would be tragic if such an outbreak turned deadly.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, President of the Royal College of GPs
It is very worrying that vaccination rates for routine childhood vaccinations are falling – meaning measles, which can be a serious disease, is on the rise (Stock Image)
That’s why I urge parents, caregivers and guardians to get their children fully vaccinated, which they can do through their GP.
Young adults, who have also missed the MMR vaccine, should also be vaccinated. After living through a global pandemic, people may have become complacent about measles and view it as something mild and treatable.
The truth is that it is a highly contagious disease that can be fatal, with significant numbers of people requiring hospitalization if they develop a lung or brain complication from the infection.
Even uncomplicated measles can be unpleasant, with high temperatures, coughing and rashes.
Children, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.
Some readers will remember polio outbreaks in the 1950s and 1960s, perhaps even catching the disease themselves.
But the polio vaccination program has saved millions of children from a deadly disease and the disability it can cause. We are fortunate that the disease was officially eradicated in Europe in 2003.
In 2017, measles was also eradicated from Britain, or so we thought. An epidemic would be such a step backwards.
Vaccinations are our ammunition against preventable diseases, but they must be widely used if they are to be effective.
I urge parents to trust the science. Have confidence in your GPs. The MMR vaccinations are safe, effective – and essential to protect the health of our children and the wider population.