Scientists comment on reports that a child has died in a Liverpool hospital after contracting measles.
Prof Elizabeth Whittaker, Professor of Practice Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust & Imperial College London; and Director of Research, West London Children’s Healthcare, said:
“I am so sorry to hear about this tragic and preventable death. Measles vaccine is safe and effective and it is essential that we do everything we can to ensure that every child is protected against this infectious and potentially deadly infection. Vaccine uptake is low and our research, and a recent RCPCH report have shown that for many parents, access is the main reason their children are unvaccinated: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/vaccination-access-uptake-equity-2025
“We are working with UKHSA, NHSE, health visitors, school nurses, GP practices and hospitals to improve access across the country. Misinformation may also contribute to hesitancy and concerns about safety, and it is key that parents, and healthcare professionals, have access to accurate information about this safe and effective vaccine. Good sources include the NHS website and the Vaccine Knowledge Project: https://vaccineknowledge.ox.ac.uk/home.”
Prof Stephen Griffin, Professor of Cancer Virology, University of Leeds, said:
“It is deeply saddening to hear that a child has died as a result of measles virus infection at Alder Hay hospital, as well as yet more children requiring treatment in hospital. Whilst it’s not known for certain whether the child in question was vaccinated, this would certainly be the most likely explanation for this dreadful outcome.
“Worryingly, this number of severe measles cases is almost certainly the tip of the iceberg in terms of the scale of spread amongst the community in Merseyside. This, along with data showing that up to one in four children have not received their preschool MMR vaccines, makes the risk of a serious outbreak relatively high.
“Measles is perhaps the most infectious virus known; in unvaccinated populations an infected individual is expected to pass the infection on to between 15-18 people.
“Measles is also potentially lethal, causing pneumonia and encephalitis as complications, as well as a rare disease of the central nervous system known as sub-acute sclerosing pan-encephalitis. SSPE can manifest years after apparently clearing infection, and is universally lethal. Measles can also damage the immune system, reducing protection against other infections.
“It may surprise people to hear that measles kills ~100K people every year across the planet, mainly young children in countries with poor vaccine access. Indeed, the MMR and single measles vaccines before it have made large outbreaks of measles a rare event since introduction into the preschool vaccine regimen in the 1980s.
“The vaccine is highly effective, preventing infection and disease with ~95-97% efficacy for many years. However, due to the incredibly high infectivity of the virus, we need to maintain coverage at ~95%, a target that we are woefully short of in many parts of the UK at present.
“It is too easy to blame parents of children that aren’t vaccinated, but the majority are also victims; in this case they are paying the ultimate price for their mistakes. Ultimately, there is a sinister, well-funded network of people spreading mis/disinformation, that exacerbates hesitancy and plays on insecurities. It is vital that we counter these movements with education about the risks of infectious disease, as well as accounting for community and other variables. If action isn’t increased, we face the possibility of such tragedy becoming increasingly commonplace.”
Prof Sir Andrew Pollard FRCPCH FMedSci FRS, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, and Ashall Professor of Infection and Immunity, Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, said:
“There were almost 3000 cases of measles last year including one death, and over 500 reported by UKHSA by the beginning of July this year. With the virus circulating at a high level across the country it was a tragic inevitability that further deaths would occur, as has been reported today in Liverpool. Measles is a serious disease associated with life-threatening complications but the virus can be eliminated. Indeed, the UK did achieve elimination status from the World Health Organisation, but sadly lost this badge of honour in 2019. Unless vaccination rates get above 95%, prolonged and recurrent outbreaks can be expected and further loss of precious young lives will occur. MMR is available from the GP surgery and, if used, will effortlessly save lives.”
Prof Ian Jones, Professor of Virology, University of Reading, said:
“Measles is very contagious and if the virus is circulating in the community because of low vaccination rates, sooner or later it will find its way to kids who are already unwell, where the infection can be catastrophic. While deaths from measles in the developed world are rare, the risk can be entirely discharged by vaccination and the lead Alder Hey have taken to vaccinate kids entering A&E is admirable. But the community message is the one to reiterate. Get your kids vaccinated, both for your own kids’ sake and to prevent the virus reaching those who are more vulnerable.”
Prof Jean Golding, Emeritus Professor of Paediatric and Perinatal Medicine, University of Bristol, said:
“At the age of 13 I caught polio and have been disabled ever since. It was, alas, a short time before the polio vaccine became available to all in this country. I am now in my 80s. Although I am coping well with the consequences of the infection, I have needed to use a wheelchair for many years. Having realised what I could have been prevented from, I have been bemused by the lack of enthusiasm for vaccines in general. Not only do they have the advantage of protecting the person who has been vaccinated from developing the disease, but by being vaccinated they will not be able to pass the virus on to others. This is very important for those in our community whose health is particularly frail. This scenario is particularly relevant to measles. In the bad old days when there was no vaccination available, catching measles could have a devastating impact – not only could it be fatal but in those who survived it could result in brain damage, deafness and/or blindness. Although there have been scare stories about the MMR vaccine, a number of good scientific studies have shown that these stories have no basis in fact. Personally, because of my own history, and what I know as a scientist, I would go for the vaccine every time. In doing so you protect your offspring as well as the members of the population with whom you are in contact however remotely.”
Dr Connor Bamford, Virologist, Queen’s University Belfast, said:
How concerning / unexpected / surprising / unsurprising is this?
“Unfortunately this is not unexpected given that despite being vaccine-preventable measles has not yet been eradicated, in fact Europe (and other parts of the world like N. America) is experiencing an increases in measles cases, and there remains too high a level of unvaccinated individuals.
Do we know when the last time was there was a death of a child from measles in the UK?
“We do see children and adults dying from measles in the UK and the last young person who died was reported in 2024. In 2023 we saw another child die of a disease called SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis), which is a fatal complication of measles that occurs years after an earlier infection. In 2023 two adults also died.
Does it mean anything that this child reportedly “were severely ill with measles as well as other serious health problems” – do other health problems make it more likely to catch or die from measles, or not?
“Various conditions can make individuals more vulnerable to severe measles. This may include immunosuppressed individuals undergoing cancer treatment for example who because of their condition have lost immunity to the virus, even if they have been vaccinated.
Why has this happened?
“Measles is circulating and people are vulnerable. Measles can be fatal due to its ability to infect the brain and to lead to secondary bacterial infections in the lung.
What needs to happen to prevent this happening again?
“Measles is a vaccine preventable illness and so we need more people vaccinated against the virus (two doses of MMR, which also protects against other viruses). The more people who are vaccinated, the less likely measles will spread due to herd immunity. To reach herd immunity we need >95% vaccine coverage but on average the UK has less than 85% and there are pockets around the country with even lower levels. We need to encourage more vaccination.”
Prof Jonathan Grigg, Professor of Paediatric Respiratory and Environmental Medicine, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), said:
“It must be up to our health system to ensure that all children are vaccinated against measles and to prevent tragic deaths. Clearly something has gone wrong where community vaccination rates are so low.”
Prof Adam Finn, Professor of Paediatrics, University of Bristol, said:
“The fact that most children who get measles do not die disguises the fact that some do, in the public consciousness. When measles was a universal illness of childhood and vaccination became available, having your child protected was an obvious choice for parents. Once it became rare after universal vaccination was implemented, many people forgot about measles. It seems to be a tragic fact that we are now starting to see cases and now the first death from measles in the U.K. for many years and that this may be the only way that everybody is reminded that it is important to prevent this entirely preventable infection.
“Any child who has neither had measles nor two doses of MMR can get measles. Children with underlying chronic or severe illnesses are more vulnerable to severe or fatal illness, but measles can kill and maim entirely healthy children too.”
Prof John Tregoning, Professor of Vaccine Immunology, Imperial College London, said:
“Measles is a highly contagious disease, far more so than influenza or COVID. It is also extremely dangerous with long term after effects. The risk of infection, particularly in unvaccinated children is extremely high. The best way to protect children is through vaccination with the MMR vaccine. This not only protects your child but can provide protection to other children whose immune systems are less effective.”
Dr David Elliman, Honorary Senior Associate Professor, UCL, said:
“It has just been reported that a child has died from measles in Liverpool. Sadly this is not a surprise. Uptake of MMR vaccine has been falling around the world and in the USA there have been three deaths in the current outbreak. Any death of a child, with so many years left to live, is a tragedy, but this is more so as we have a very effective vaccine, with an excellent safety profile and if enough children had had the vaccine, this death would have been avoided. Not only does the vaccine protect the person receiving it, but it helps protect those who cannot receive the vaccine because of a medical condition or they are too young.
“There are many reasons why children do not get the vaccine, but the commonest are administrative – parents unaware of when the vaccine is due, not enough appointments, appointments at times that do not fit in with the busy life of a young family, etc.; and concerns about the vaccine – is it safe, does it work, the disease is not common or serious, etc. To rectify this needs informed, confident professionals with time to talk to parents. Vaccination is important and every opportunity should be taken to offer the vaccine, whether that be in General Practice, Hospital, Clinic or school. It is never too late.”
Prof Helen Bedford, Professor of Children’s Health and Co-Director MSc Paediatrics and Child Health, UCL; and Honorary Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Health, said:
“It is hugely concerning, but not at all surprising, that we are continuing to see outbreaks of measles with very sadly news that a child in Merseyside has died from the infection. To stop outbreaks of this highly infectious disease we need to have sustained 95% uptake of two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, but uptake has been lower than this for some years. In England only 84% of five-year-old children have had the two doses and in some parts of the country, including Liverpool and parts of London, uptake is much lower. Measles is a nasty infection which can make children and adults very unwell, with complications including pneumonia, fits and inflammation of the brain.
“The only way to stop measles spreading is with vaccination. MMR has a good safety record, and two doses give about 98% protection. If parents are unsure whether their child has had the vaccine, they can check their red book or call the GP practice. For questions and concerns about vaccination speak to your GP, Practice Nurse or Health Visitor. It is never too late to be vaccinated even as an adult.”
In response to media reports in Sunday Times today
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/measles-outbreak-liverpool-vaccine-rate-zsvf8m3vn
Declared interests
Prof Elizabeth Whittaker: “No COI.”
Prof Stephen Griffin: “Co-chair, independent SAGE.”
Prof Sir Andrew Pollard: “Professor Pollard is a vaccine researcher, and is Chair of JCVI which provides independent scientific advice on vaccines to DHSC. The comment above is given in a personal capacity.”
Prof Ian Jones: “I state no conflicts.”
Prof Jean Golding: “I have no conflicts of interests – although I did have funding from various industry sources many (>30) years ago – none were related to this topic.”
Dr Connor Bamford: “I have received money from Sanofi for consultancy.”
Prof Jonathan Grigg: “No conflicts.”
Prof Adam Finn: “AF advises the U.K. government and the WHO on vaccination policy and undertakes paid consultancy for many vaccine developers and manufacturers including GSK and Merck who make MMR vaccines.”
Prof John Tregoning: “I advise Sanofi and Moderna on vaccines (but not measles).”
Dr David Elliman: “No conflicts of interest.”
Prof Helen Bedford: “No conflicts of interest.”