Reports show a surprising revival of measles in Europe and the US

A recent report shows the best cases of measles across the European region of the World Health Organization, including the UK, for over 25 years. At the same time, a massive outbreak of measles in the United States caused the death of the first measles since 2015.

For our new series, LSHTM has been cancelledwe spoke to experts in the Department of Hygiene in London about what measles is so dangerous, what risky measles brings to children and adults in the UK, as well as general concerns about measles vaccines and vaccinations.

Why is measles so dangerous?

• Measles virus is one of the most infectious viruses in the world and spreads easily through coughing and sneezing
• One person infected with measles will infect another 12-18 people
• People of all ages can get sick with measles and spread the virus, but children are most likely to catch it
• Measles can be fatal or can cause lifelong disorders such as hearing loss, pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, seizures, and brain damage
• There is no specific treatment for measles, but two doses of the MMR vaccine can prevent it
• One in five children with measles should visit the hospital
• Approximately 15 out of 15 people with measles develop serious complications
• Measles can severely weaken the immune system and leave you vulnerable to other infectious diseases

“The measles virus is one of the most infectious respiratory pathogens in the world and can cause lifelong disability or death, thanks to the two vaccines I received as a child,” said Dr. Alexis Robert, an assistant professor at LSHTM, who studies the transmission of measles in England and Wales.

“Measles are so infected that around 95% of the population will need to receive a full course of vaccinations to reduce the risk of an outbreak. If coverage is low, those catching measles will infect people who are not protected from the vaccine or who have not previously had measles.

“Studies estimate that almost half of the UK's childhood deaths caused by infectious diseases prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine could be due to suppression of the immune system caused by previous measles infections.”

Is there a risk of measles in the UK?

• In 2024, there were 2,911 confirmed cases of measles in the UK.
• To prevent the outbreak of measles, the WHO recommends that 95% of people get fully vaccinated with two MMR vaccines
• In 2024, 85% of UK people received two MMRs and fully bellowed the 95% target
• In 2024, 127,350 measles cases were reported across the WHO European region, including the UK. This is the best case since 1997.
• 90% of these cases were reported in five countries with low coverage of MMR: Romania, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzton and Russia.
• Children under the age of 5 accounted for more than 40% of Europe in 2024
• Between 2000 and 2022, 23 children and adults died in England and Wales from measles and related infections
• Before the daily measles vaccination began in 1968, England and Wales saw a major outbreak at a peak of 600,000 cases in a few years

Vaccination programs in the UK and around the world are very successful, and it is easy to forget why we need them, and many people may not have a memory of the outcome of infections like measles. However, history shows that even a small reduction in vaccine intake can have catastrophic consequences. ”

Dr. Ben Kasstan Davusch, assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene;

Why is it important to get the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine?

• Measles vaccines have saved more lives than any other vaccine in the last 50 years
• Over 99% of children and adults who recommend the recommended two MMR vaccines provide lifelong protection against measles
• Measles can quickly spread among people who don't have a vaccine – if 95% of the community is vaccinated, it can prevent the outbreak
• Being vaccinated also helps protect people who are unable to take the vaccine itself, such as young babies and immunocompromised people.
• It's never too late to get the MMR vaccine

Dr. Ben Kasstan Dabush “Individuals who have recovered from measles will be immunized to infection in the future, but this should not be considered a safe alternative to vaccination.

“Measles infections are aggressive and the condition of a person infected with measles can suddenly worsen. You risk exposure to yourself or your child to a more severe and preventable illness than causing lifelong disability or death.

“Getting vaccinations is the best way to protect you, your children, your family and those who can't afford to raise a vaccine, like young babies.

Dr. Alexis Robert said: “Measles outbreaks occur when vaccine coverage is low, and as it can spread more easily among people without protection, only 85% of UK under 5 MMRs should increase emergency vaccine coverage if the WHO target is 95%.

“The increase in measles cases we see is not due to a decline in vaccine efficacy.

“If individuals who were vaccinated in the 1980s or 1990s had lost all protection (and “essentially unvaccinated”), then this is expected because tens of thousands of measles cases of measles in vaccinated individuals aged 30-40 are basically unprotected, and this is not the case, especially since the people we are looking at are affected, especially on children.

“If you already have the vaccine, you can get measles, but that's rare. If that happens, the symptoms and persistent effects will be significantly milder.

“Infants whose mothers have been vaccinated are also protected by their mother's antibodies. This protection may not last long from mothers who survived measles infection, but in addition to the protection given by the high levels of vaccination around them, it would not have been there before routine immunity.

“An analysis of UK measles data shows that the distribution of cases and age is in line with a very slow decline in vaccine protection. That is, those who received protection after vaccination will still be 99% protected 20 years after receiving their second dose.”

Is the MMR vaccine safe?

• Since its introduction in 1988, millions of dosages have been given to the UK people
• MMR is a live vaccine. That is, it contains weakened versions of measles, mumps and rubella.
• A weakened version of the virus is not enough to cause illness in people who have been vaccinated, but it is enough for the body to produce its own antibodies against them – known as immunity
• The immune system is often caused to produce protection against disease, so you often experience mild side effects
• Serious reactions after vaccination are rare. If they happen, the vaccine-giving medical professionals will be trained to treat them immediately
• The scientific consensus is that there is no evidence to support the false claims of the link between MMR vaccines and autism – the original claim has been proven to be fraudulent
• Measles remains far more dangerous than any measles vaccine – an estimated 107,500 people who died worldwide in 2023 from measles are almost under five vaccinated or unvaccinated children
• The safety and recommendations of all UK vaccines are continuously monitored by the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunology (JCVI).

Dr. Ben Kasstan-Dabush said: “Vaccinations are designed to trigger an immune response against a particular pathogen without causing the disease itself. “Side effects” are a common indication that prevents the immune system from being trained to remember that pathogen in the future. What should you do if your child and you are worried about the reaction after being vaccinated?

“It's also important to be aware of the vaccine information you see on social media. It's not always based on scientific evidence and can put your child at risk of serious illness. We've learned that misinformation can move quickly and can influence people's decisions.

Dr. Alexis Robert said: “The safety of the UK's MMR vaccine and all vaccines is closely monitored and has consistently proven to be the safest and most effective way to protect yourself and those around you from measles.

Who is available to get the MMR vaccine in the UK?

• Young children will receive two MMR vaccines through the NHS routine childhood vaccination program
• This is when you are most vulnerable to the outcome of your illness, so we recommend that you receive the most vaccine in the first year of your life
• But if you or your child doesn't have the MMR vaccine yet, it's never too late. To find out more, talk to your GP or ask a local pharmacist for advice
• Different countries also offer a variety of vaccinations – even if you were born or grew up abroad, you may need to get an MMR vaccine to be protected from measles, mumps and rubella
• All adults are advised to check the vaccination status

Dr Ben Kasstan Davusch said, “We know that a decline in compensation is taking place amid the unforgiving living crisis in the UK, marked by a generational decline in living standards, political austerity and a recovery from an unequal pandemic.

“It is important to continue to look at vaccination services that are resources sufficient to effectively engage and ensure capacity, in order to reverse the decline in vaccine uptake.

“Childhood vaccinations are generally offered through common practices. This is an acceptable delivery route for most parents. If necessary, we need to ensure that universal offers are complemented by tailored engagement and outreach clinics to ensure equitable access to all families and communities.”