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The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially announced that the United Kingdom has lost its measles elimination status. This change is attributed to the rise in measles cases during 2024, which saw approximately 3,600 suspected instances of the disease. The designation of elimination status indicates the absence of sustained transmission, so the loss of this status was anticipated given the significant outbreaks experienced throughout the year.
In 2023, measles cases began to increase again after previous progress, leading to the rapid spread of the virus in 2024. The UK had been declared free of measles in 2017 but lost this status in 2019 before regaining it in 2021, largely due to reduced transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing measures. However, vaccination levels have not reached the 95% coverage needed to maintain herd immunity. Data from late 2024 report first-dose vaccination coverage at 92% and second-dose rates falling just below 85%, both of which fall short of the target.
Consultant epidemiologist Dr. Vanessa Saliba from the UK Health Security Agency emphasized the importance of childhood vaccination for preventing the return of infections. “Infections can return quickly when childhood vaccine uptake falls – measles elimination is only possible if all eligible children receive two MMRV doses before school,” she stated. Efforts to improve vaccination rates include the NHS introducing an earlier administration of the second MMRV dose at 18 months to support higher uptake and the goal of eliminating measles. Additionally, catch-up vaccinations remain available for older children and adults.
Dr. Bharat Pankhania from the University of Exeter expressed concern about vaccine coverage gaps, noting, “Measles is an infection that can be prevented by vaccine – and it’s extremely concerning that in the UK we now have pockets of low or no vaccine uptake.” He called for urgent measures to address this issue, such as making access to general practitioners easier, increasing the number of health visitors who can vaccinate babies at home, and combating misinformation surrounding vaccine safety
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