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Scientists comment on latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) that shows measles cases remain high.
Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush, Assistant Professor of Global Health & Development at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said:
“It is no surprise that Hackney has seen the highest number of measles cases over the past four weeks. To prevent measles outbreaks, the WHO recommends that 95% of people are fully vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine. In 2023-2024, MMR coverage in Hackney was lowest by local authority in England and just 60.8% had received both MMR doses by the age of five, compared with 83.9% of children on average across England. Without this vital vaccine coverage, children have been left as sitting ducks for a measles outbreak.
“Hackney’s population is unique and a ‘one-size fits all’ approach will not solve the problem. The borough’s population is diverse and younger, with almost one in three residents aged under 24. Hackney also has among the highest numbers of children living in low income families in London and around one in four children are Haredi (strictly Orthodox Jewish). In this context, every family will have their own challenges and pressures, so how can we expect under-funded, inflexible delivery strategies to offer equitable access?
“Local clinics and teams are working incredibly hard to protect children and prevent another child death from measles in the UK. But it is extremely difficult to sustain positive results when funding to commission vaccination projects and new professionals roles are short-term and unpredictable.
“Together with a local GP in Hackney, Dr Tehseen Khan, we have been researching ways to ensure vital vaccines are accessible to those who need them. This includes evaluating how primary care teams in the area offer parents more convenient appointments through Sunday walk-in clinics and allowing parents to bring several children to one appointment. However, primary care cannot solve these challenges alone. I would encourage any parent with questions or concerns, or anyone who’s unsure on their own vaccination status, to reach out to their local GP surgery, as it’s never too late to catch up on the MMR vaccine.
“Political decisions are threatening the ability to make long-term improvements in vaccination coverage in Hackney and nationwide. Integrated Care Boards, the NHS organisations that plan and commission health services for their local populations, are expected to reduce operational costs by 50%. This will be disastrous for vaccine coverage recovery efforts, and raises fundamental questions about how the government’s 10 year ‘Fit for the Future’ plan can realistically be implemented.”
Declared interests
Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush: Dr Ben Kasstan- Dabush is Assistant Professor of Global Health & Development at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. He is currently working on vaccine delivery research in Hackney, funded by the British Medical Association Foundation for Medical Research (2023 Kathleen Harper Award, in collaboration with Dr Tehseen Khan). This builds on previous work funded by the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Vaccines & Immunisation, a collaboration between LSHTM and UKHSA. Ben provides regular consultation to UKHSA.”