Latest measles update | Advice for measles | Immunisations | Growing cases | Latest data | FAQs | Primary care resources
Last updated: 06.02.24
Latest measles update
Measles is a serious health risk and cases are rising. This page will be updated regularly with the latest information, advice and resources regarding the rising number of measles cases in Birmingham and Solihull.
There is an increase in measles cases in Birmingham and Solihull. Please be aware of measles symptoms. If you think you or your child may have measles, do not visit any health or social care setting in person, and instead call ahead or call NHS 111.
At this moment in time, a high percentage of children between 0 and 4 years old, and increasingly 5 to 11 year olds, are being admitted to hospital.
Measles spreads very easily and as well as causing cold-like symptoms, 1 in 15 children can develop serious complications, such as meningitis and blindness. Measles is a preventable disease and almost 100 percent of people who have had both doses of the MMR vaccine are immune for life.
For protection against measles, contact your GP practice to get your MMR immunisations.
MMR national call and re-call
To target those not fully protected against measles (missing one or both doses of their MMR vaccine), a call and recall campaign has launched, inviting the following cohorts to book an appointment to catch up on their MMR vaccinations:
- Cohort one (One to five-year-olds) parents / carers already being contacted through their GP surgeries between November 2023 and March 2024
- Cohort two (Six to 11-year-olds) parents / carers in England to receive a communication in February and March 2024
- Cohort three (11 to 16-year-olds) parents / carers in London and West Midlands will receive a communication in February and March 2024. Greater Manchester will receive a recall in March only.
- Cohort four and five (17 to 25-year-olds) in London, Greater Manchester and West Midlands to receive communications in February and March 2024.
The campaign will see communications sent via text message, email and letters, and for those over 16 years the NHS app will also send a communication.
Advice for those who think they have measles
Anyone who has suspected measles symptoms should not visit any health or social care setting in person, and instead call ahead or call NHS 111.
Measles is a highly infectious disease which can lead to serious complications such as severe lung infections, and inflammation of the brain.
It also damages and suppresses the whole immune system, meaning children can be left much more susceptible to catching other illnesses. 1 in 5000 potentially have severe illnesses, and could die.
At this moment in time, a high percentage of children between 0 and 4 years old, and increasingly 5 to 11 year olds, are being admitted to hospital.
Symptoms of measles include:
- High temperature
- Runny or blocked nose
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Red, sore, watery eyes
- Rash, which usually appears a few days after cold-like symptoms (sometimes it starts around the ears before spreading to the rest of the body)
It can spread quickly among communities, such as schools and nurseries, if children have not had two doses of the MMR vaccine.
Measles is preventable but not treatable - immunisation is the best defense.
Immunisation is the best defence against measles
The MMR immunisation is a safe and effective combined vaccine, protecting against three serious illnesses: measles, mumps and rubella. Anyone who is unable to consume pork products can request a non-porcine version (Priorix) of the vaccination from their GP.
Contact your GP to get your two MMR doses. Timely immunisations occur at 1 year old, and the second at 3 years and 4 months of age, providing the maximum lifelong protection.
If you only have one dose, and don't complete the course, immunity wanes over time.
Having two doses of the vaccine provides the best protection against MMR.
Under 1 year olds are most at risk if family members and social contacts are not immunised.
Starting nursery and school increases the risk of children being exposed to infectious diseases so it is important to protect your child.
Parents who are unsure if their child is up to date with all of their routine immunisations should check their child’s Red Book (personal child health record), check the NHS app, or contact their GP practice.
Adults who are unsure of their own immunity status can speak to their GP who will arrange for a catch up immunisation if necessary – also free of charge.
Any adult or older child can be vaccinated at any age if they have not been fully vaccinated, and are encouraged to do so.
If you are immunocompromised, please seek advice before you have the vaccinations. Your local GP or specialist will advise you on the best course of action.
Anyone who is unable to consume pork products can request a non-porcine version (Priorix) of the vaccination from their GP.
Why are cases growing?
There has been a decline in the uptake of childhood immunisations in recent years, posing a significant public health risk.
Several factors have contributed to this decline, leading to lower immunisation rates and compromising the population’s immunity against preventable diseases such as measles.
One key factor is the rise of misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. Misinformation spreads rapidly through social media platforms, where false claims regarding the safety and effectiveness of vaccines have spread far and wide. This has created doubt and fear among some individuals, discouraging them from getting vaccinated.
The evidence is clear: there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.
Another contributing factor is complacency. With the success of immunisation programmes reducing the outbreaks and the spread of diseases over the years, the public have become less aware of the importance of childhood immunisations such as MMR.
This complacency, coupled with the false perception that certain diseases are no longer a threat, has led to a decreased sense of urgency in getting immunised. This complacency puts your family at risk if you're not immunised - there is no treatment for measles. Getting your vaccine is the best form of protection.
Measles parties are not safe and should not be held. This is putting your children at high risk of measles, whereas vaccination is safe, and it only takes two weeks to gain initial immunity.
Do not travel outside of the UK without being protected; many other countries have measles where the immunisation rate is low. If you are not protected, you will be at an increased risk.
Latest data on cases
Data regarding the number of patients with measles in hospital is not available.
Data regarding the number of confirmed and suspected measles cases across the country is published by the UK Health Security Agency.
Data regarding MMR uptake is published by the UK Health Security Agency here.
While the MMR vaccine gives high and lasting protection to children over 12 months against measles, mumps and rubella, the immune response to the vaccine in babies under 12 months is not so strong and is unreliable. We only offer the vaccine to under ones when there is a high and imminent risk, such as during a nursery outbreak or when the child is travelling to a high risk country. But they would still need a further two doses to ensure they are fully protected.
The best way to protect the very young, who are more vulnerable, is by ensuring other children and members in the household are fully protected with two doses of MMR – hugely reducing the risk of them passing the virus onto the young child.
Your GP surgery should be able to check whether you've had both doses of the MMR vaccine.
You may also be able to access your vaccination record online through GP online services or the NHS app.
If your vaccination records are not available, or do not exist, it will not harm you to have the MMR vaccine again.
As a precaution, the MMR vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women.
You should also avoid becoming pregnant for 1 month after having the MMR vaccine.
It's best to let your GP or midwife know if you had the MMR vaccine while you were pregnant.
Evidence suggests there will be no harm to your baby, but it's better to let them know.
The MMR vaccine is not recommended for people with a severely weakened immune system. For example, people receiving chemotherapy.
If you have a medical condition, or are taking medicine that may affect your immune system, check with your healthcare provider if it's safe for you to have the MMR vaccine.
Anyone who is unable to consume pork products can request a non-porcine version (Priorix) of the vaccination from their GP.
The evidence is clear: there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism with many studies including WHO, and those publicised in The Lancet reporting on this.
Primary care resources
Action cards for primary care:
- Site or Practice Managers, Clinical Leads, Operational Leads
- General Practice Clinicians - GPs / ANPs / Nurses / Clinical Pharmacists etc.
- General Practice Staff - Receptionists
We have plenty of additional vaccination and immunisation information to help primary care colleagues to support their patients on our Primary Care Hub.
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