Two children have died from measles in England this year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed, as new figures show the disease continues to spread across the country and vaccination rates remain stuck at their lowest level in more than a decade.
One child died from acute measles and the other from the late effects of the infection. A senior public health source said it was the first time two children had died from measles in a single year in England and Wales since 2018. The deaths come amid a persistent outbreak that has now reached every upper-tier local authority area in England.
The scale of the outbreak
In the fortnight up to 8 June, a further 106 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported in England, bringing the total for the year to 736. By comparison, there were 959 cases for the whole of 2025. May recorded the highest monthly total so far with 182 confirmed reports. London accounts for 55% of all cases – 404 out of 736 – while the East of England and the West Midlands have also seen high numbers in the past month. UKHSA said most cases are among unvaccinated children aged ten and under.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the families who have so tragically lost their children. Measles continues to circulate in many parts of the country and, as we have seen, it can be very serious and even fatal. We urge all parents to ensure their children are up to date with their MMR or MMRV vaccines, giving them the best and safest protection against measles – which can spread very easily.”
Why vaccination rates are falling — and the consequences
The resurgence of measles in England is directly linked to a long-term decline in uptake of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. Latest figures for 2024-25 show that 91.8% of five-year-olds had received one dose, unchanged from the previous year and the lowest level since 2010-11. The World Health Organization recommends a 95% coverage rate to achieve herd immunity. Coverage has been sliding since 2013-14, and in 2024-25 none of the routine childhood vaccinations met that target.
Regional disparities are stark. In 2023-24, the proportion of five-year-olds who had received both doses of MMR was as low as 61% in Hackney, 64% in Islington and 65% in Kensington and Chelsea. Some parts of England now have vaccination rates comparable to those in Afghanistan and Malawi, according to earlier warnings from MPs and health experts, who said in February that the NHS was “clearly failing” to ensure children received the jab. Calls have grown for major reform of how MMR vaccines are delivered.
Experts point to a combination of factors driving the decline. Vaccine hesitancy and the spread of misinformation online have played a role; a 2025 survey found that while 84% of parents still trusted childhood vaccines, confidence has fallen since 2015. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vaccination services and increased public wariness about vaccine safety. But underlying issues with the immunisation infrastructure – fragmented delivery, short-term funding and poor access for underserved communities – predated the pandemic. Some specialists argue the current crisis represents “a failure of policy, not parenting”, highlighting the need for better support and easier access to appointments.
The consequences of low uptake have been severe. Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation (encephalitis), lifelong disability and death. Infection also suppresses the immune system for up to three years, leaving individuals more vulnerable to other diseases. In rare cases, the virus causes subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a progressive and fatal neurological condition that can develop years later. During pregnancy, measles increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or preterm delivery. In developed countries such as the UK the mortality rate is around 1 in 5,000 cases; in poorer regions it can be as high as 1 in 100.
The UK’s elimination status, first achieved in 2017, then lost and regained, was revoked again by the World Health Organization in January 2026 after endemic transmission re-established. Before the measles vaccine was introduced in 1968, England and Wales recorded approximately 400,000 cases each year. In contrast, 2024 saw 2,911 laboratory-confirmed cases in England – the highest annual total since 2012 – and 2023 saw 1,619 cases with four deaths.
James Murray, the health secretary, said: “These deaths are a heartbreaking reminder that measles is not a harmless childhood illness. Measles can lead to serious complications that can be fatal, and the MMR vaccine, which has saved countless lives, remains the best protection we have against this highly infectious disease.” The NHS has been running catch-up campaigns in areas with low uptake, particularly London and the West Midlands, and introduced the MMRV vaccine – which also covers varicella – into the routine childhood schedule in January 2026. Its effectiveness against measles is equivalent to that of MMR.
Globally, the WHO has warned of a resurgence of measles driven by pandemic disruptions and misinformation. Europe is reporting its highest number of cases in 25 years. Canada lost its measles elimination status in November 2025, and the United States has recorded its highest case count in three decades.