June 11, 2026

expert reaction to latest measles figures

Scientists comment on the latest measles figures published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). 

Graham Blair, Chief Executive of the British Society for Immunology, said:

“The rise in measles cases in the UK is deeply concerning and a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination. Measles is a serious and highly infectious disease, particularly for children, with one in five cases in England resulting in hospitalisation. I am deeply saddened to hear that two children have lost their lives to measles this year.

“The measles virus is extremely contagious, meaning that vaccination uptake needs to be higher than 95% to prevent it from spreading through communities. In 2024-25, just 83.7% of children in England received their measles vaccinations by the recommended age. When vaccination rates fall, outbreaks become more likely, putting babies, vulnerable children and immunocompromised people at greater risk.

“The rising number of cases in 2026 is not unexpected. Measles vaccine coverage has been steadily declining since 2021, reducing population immunity. Given that measles is highly contagious, it can spread quickly among people who are not protected. As a result, measles outbreaks are becoming more frequent, particularly in densely populated areas where vaccine uptake is low.

“The measles vaccine is safe, effective and provides strong, long-lasting protection against measles. I would urge anyone with questions about their own or their child’s vaccine coverage to speak to their GP. It’s never too late to catch up on missed doses, and health services are there to support communities by providing clear advice and information about vaccine safety. The best way to protect children and communities is to make sure vaccinations are up to date.”

Dr David Elliman, Honorary Associate Professor, University College London (UCL), said:

“I think there is a tendency to think that measles is no longer a serious disease. The announcement that, sadly, two children have died so far this year from measles is a tragic reminder that it can be a terrible disease, even in an affluent country. Last year 3 people died from measles – two adults from the late effects of the disease and one child who had a problem with their immune system.

“There is an enormous amount of evidence that MMR vaccine and the combined MMR and varicella vaccine are very effective and have few side effects. This is agreed by every expert body in the world. The vaccine does not just protect the person who is given the vaccine, but also people who cannot have it because they are too you or they have a problem with their immune system. Hopefully more parents will have their children immunised, so we see no more children dying needlessly.

“It is also worth remembering that, although it is best to have the vaccine in early childhood, there is no upper age limit for the vaccine. If you have not had two doses of a vaccine containing measles, it is never too late to catch up.”

Prof Helen Bedford, Professor of Child Public Health, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (GOS ICH), University College London (UCL), said:

“Over the past three years we have seen outbreaks of measles in England, with over 700 cases in the first five months of this year alone. This compares with almost 1000 cases in the whole of 2025. There has been measles cases in all areas, but the largest numbers are in areas with lowest vaccine uptake, particularly in London districts.  

“I am so very sorry to hear that two children have died from measles this year. This underlines how severe measles can be and the importance of vaccination. We are seeing cases of measles all around the country; measles is highly infectious and spreads very quickly and MMR vaccine is the only effective way to stop this spread.  MMR vaccination not only protects individuals but, when enough people are vaccinated it provides protection to others who can’t have the vaccine. This includes babies under 12 months of age, people with health problems or those who are pregnant. This community protection is important as these people are also more likely to be severely ill if they catch measles.”

“It is never too late to be vaccinated, even if vaccines have been missed years ago, it is still possible and important to catch up. Your general practice or health visitor can answer any questions about MMR vaccination. “

Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush, Assistant Professor of Global Health & Development at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said:

“Latest UKHSA data shows that the total number of measles cases confirmed between 1 January and 8 June 2026 was 736, compared to 959 cases for the whole of 2025. The data indicates a persistence of under vaccination and risk of measles spread in urban areas like London, which are characterised by extremes of inequality.

“The burden of risk is not equally shared. The immediate priority now is to ensure timely catch-up of under vaccinated children, and that school-age children are brought up to schedule as efficiently as possible with equitable pathways to vaccination through enhanced access. This is essential to avoid outbreaks in schools, and so that children can look forward to their summers free from the risk of being infected – or hospitalised.

“Longer term strategies must explore embedding vaccination in the broader policy changes taking place, such as the Best Start hubs and tackling child poverty strategies, to help attain greater equity in coverage and protection from disease.”

Declared interests

Graham Blair: “no conflicts to declare”

Dr David Elliman: “I have no conflicts of interest.”

Prof Helen Bedford: “No conflicts of interest”

Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush: “No declarations.”