London is at risk of a measles outbreak unless vaccination rates significantly improve, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Current uptake of the MMR vaccine is at its lowest in a decade, with rates of 85% in England and just 75% in London. This falls well below the necessary 95% target for herd immunity. Experts have warned that this could lead to a potential outbreak of up to 160,000 cases in the capital alone. So far in 2023, there have been 128 recorded cases of measles in the UK, compared to 54 cases in all of 2022. The majority of cases have been reported in London. The UKHSA has attributed the decrease in vaccination rates to false information about a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. While the risk for the rest of the UK is currently low, the agency cautioned that smaller outbreaks could occur in specific populations such as teenagers, young people, and under-vaccinated communities. There is also a high risk of cases originating from overseas travel. Efforts are being made to encourage everyone to check their vaccination status and ensure they are up to date with the MMR vaccine.
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