Health service launches measles vaccination catch-up drive after two child deaths

Health service officials have begun a catch-up vaccination campaign aimed at children aged two to eleven who missed their measles shots. The drive targets approximately one million families and will continue until March next year. General practitioners will contact parents of children under six directly.

Families with children aged six to eleven will receive messages through the NHS App, text, email or letter.

Background on rising cases The UK Health Security Agency recorded 801 measles cases in the first half of the current year, compared with 959 cases for all of 2025. Two children in England died from the disease during this period. Vaccination coverage data for the first three months of the year show that 84.1 per cent of five-year-olds had received both doses of the MMR vaccine.

The World Health Organisation stated in January that the United Kingdom is no longer considered to have eliminated measles.

Statements from officials NHS director of vaccination Caroline Temmink said measles can be devastating for families and that routine childhood immunisation prevents serious illness. Public health minister Sharon Hodgson urged parents who receive contact from the health service to arrange catch-up doses promptly.

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Officials said the campaign seeks to overcome barriers that have kept some children from receiving scheduled immunisations.