The UK Health Security Agency and the NHS are calling on parents and guardians to ensure their children are up to date with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and all other routine childhood immunisations, as the latest data shows MMR vaccination uptake has dropped to the lowest level in a decade.

The NHS has continued to provide routine childhood immunisations throughout the pandemic and stress that they are crucial in protecting children against preventable diseases.

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, and inflammation of the brain which require hospitalisation and on rare occasions can lead to long term disability or death.

Since the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1968, it is estimated that 20 million measles cases and 4,500 deaths have been prevented in the UK but even a small decline in MMR uptake can lead to a rise in cases.

As international travel resumes, it is more likely that measles will be brought in from countries that have higher levels of the disease.

Dominic Mellon, deputy director for UKHSA South West said: ‘The MMR vaccine offers the best protection from measles, mumps and rubella which is why we’re calling on parents and carers to make sure their children are up to date with their two doses.’

Parents who are unsure if their child is up to date with all their routine vaccinations are encouraged to check their child’s Red Book (personal child health record) in the first instance or if a child needs to be up to date with their vaccines, parents can contact their GP practice to check and book an appointment.