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Health bosses have issued an alert (Image: Marina Demidiuk via Getty Images)
The UK has lost its “eliminated” measles status, according to global health officials. The World Health Organisation (WHO) awards countries measles elimination status based on specific criteria.
The United Kingdom has officially lost its “eliminated” status for measles, as reported by global health authorities. The World Health Organization (WHO) designates countries with measles elimination status when they meet certain criteria.
According to WHO, measles transmission resumed in the UK in 2024. This change is attributed to stagnant vaccination rates and a significant increase in reported cases, with 3,681 infections documented across the country that year.
From 2021 to 2023, the UK had maintained its status as a nation that had “eliminated” measles.
Dr. Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), emphasized the importance of vaccination: “When childhood vaccine uptake drops, outbreaks can happen quickly. Eliminating measles requires that all eligible children receive two doses of the MMRV vaccine before starting school.”
She added, “It’s crucial to catch up older children and adults who missed their vaccinations. The NHS is taking steps to make vaccination more accessible, such as offering the second MMRV dose at a new 18-month appointment, to improve uptake and work toward elimination goals.”
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Meanwhile, only 83.7% of five year olds had received both MMR doses, declining from 83.9% year-on-year and marking the lowest level since 2009/10.
The World Health Organisation advises that a minimum of 95% of children should be vaccinated against each disease to establish herd immunity. In January, health authorities revealed that youngsters in the UK will now be offered the MMRV jab, which guards against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
A WHO spokesperson said the UK’s change of status “reflects a broader challenge” that the organisation is facing across Europe.
They added: “Outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases are threats to health security in Europe, alongside antimicrobial resistance and other emerging threats.
“Persistent immunity gaps led to a region-wide resurgence in measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases in 2024 and a decrease in the number of countries that have achieved or sustained measles elimination status.
“Through strengthened surveillance, improved outbreak response, and focused efforts to reach under-vaccinated communities, all countries can achieve and sustain elimination.”
Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush, assistant professor of global health and development at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said: “It is unsurprising the UK has lost its WHO measles elimination status, following nationwide outbreaks since 2024 and the preventable death of a child in 2025. Sustained measles transmission reflects a decade-long decline in routine vaccination coverage and the persistent failure in the UK to reach the 95% measles vaccine coverage threshold recommended by WHO.”
Dr Bharat Pankhania, senior clinical lecturer in public health medicine at the University of Exeter Medical School, added: “Measles is an infection that can be prevented by vaccine, and it’s extremely concerning that in the UK we now have pockets of low or no vaccine uptake. We urgently need to remedy this situation.”
