In a dramatic plea to the nation, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a “national call to action” in response to a troubling surge in measles cases across London and the West Midlands.

During an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Professor Dame Jenny Harries, the chief executive of the health board, emphasised that people seem to have “forgotten what measles is like.” She described the symptoms that children could experience, including a severe rash, high fever, and ear infections, lasting for a week or two. Highlighting the virus’s highly infectious nature, health officials cautioned about potential complications leading to hospitalizations and even death.

Official figures revealed a disconcerting drop in the uptake of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, reaching its lowest point in over a decade. With 1,603 suspected measles cases in England and Wales in 2023—marking a substantial increase from 735 cases in 2022 and 360 in 2021—the situation has become dire.

The West Midlands has become a hotspot, confirming 198 cases and identifying an additional 104 as “likely.” Birmingham Children’s Hospital reported treating over 50 children since December, prompting a sense of urgency.

Dame Jenny, ahead of her visit to Birmingham, stressed the need for a nationwide response: “The real issue is we need a call to action right across the country.” She pointed out the drop in vaccination rates, with only 85% of children receiving the recommended two MMR doses upon entering school. In some areas of the West Midlands, this rate has plummeted to 81%, and in the Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board area, it’s just over 70%—well below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended coverage.

Measles vaccinations, introduced in the UK in 1968, have been credited with preventing an estimated 4,500 deaths and 20 million measles cases. Dame Harries highlighted the specific risk assessment carried out in London last July due to up to 20% of children entering school without vaccination, posing a “significant risk” to the population.

False concerns about vaccine links to autism in the late 1990s contributed to a decline in uptake, but Dame Harries emphasised that there is no evidence to support such claims.

Acknowledging differences in vaccine uptake among communities, Dame Harries addressed concerns within Muslim communities regarding pork-based derivatives in some MMR vaccines. She emphasised the availability of non-porcine vaccines, urging awareness and understanding.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of the vaccine program, Dame Jenny Harries insisted on the importance of reaching a 95% coverage rate, emphasising that vigilance is crucial even when the perceived risk has diminished. The resurfacing of measles cases serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of the illness, warranting immediate attention and action.