Increasing vaccine uptake vital

This week, our lead for Health Protection, Amanda Healy, has written in the BMJ about why increasing MMR vaccine uptake is key to preventing future outbreaks of measles:

Measles is on the rise with 240 cases in England in January 2024, compared with an average of just 107 a year in the first five years after the two dose measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination programme was introduced in 1996. For those of us working in public health, the situation is concerning, but not at all surprising. Despite offering the best protection against measles, vaccination rates have fallen, with coverage as low as 60% in some areas. Of course, 60% is still the majority, and in many areas the rates of parents bringing children forward for vaccination are fortunately much higher.

Continue reading Amanda’s article in the BMJ.