UK loses measles elimination status

The UK has lost its measles elimination status, the World Health Organization has announced.

This decision was based on the spread of cases in 2024, where there were 3,600 suspected cases.

Elimination status means there is no sustained transmission, so this decision was widely expected, given the scale of outbreaks in 2024.

There were more than 1,000 cases last year as well. The move also reflects the fact that vaccination rates are below the 95% threshold required to achieve herd immunity – when enough people in a community are vaccinated against a disease, making it difficult for the pathogen to spread.

The UK was first declared measles-free in 2017, but lost that status two years later, before regaining it in 2021 – although this was mainly because social distancing during the pandemic would have disrupted transmission.

Outbreaks occurring in late 2023 meant that measles began to spread more quickly again, leading to an increase in cases in 2024.

At the end of 2024, the vaccination rate was 92% for the first dose and just under 85% for the second dose.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “Infections can return quickly when vaccination rates among children fall – elimination of measles is only possible if all eligible children receive two doses of MMRV before school.

“The NHS is making vaccination easier, including offering the second dose of MMRV earlier at a new 18-month appointment to boost uptake and support elimination targets.”

She said older children and adults could still get vaccinated as the NHS was offering catch-up vaccines.