Measles: GP catch-up vaccination campaign starts after two deaths in six months

AI Summary

Following two deaths and multiple measles outbreaks in the UK, a national GP catch-up vaccination campaign has been launched targeting the MMRV vaccine. Over 801 confirmed cases between January and June 2026 highlight the ongoing public health challenge, particularly in London where most cases have occurred.

This year’s national catch up vaccination campaign will focus on the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine after two measles deaths in the first half of the year and ongoing outbreaks, NHS England has said.A large measles outbreak, mostly affecting unvaccinated children, was confirmed in northeast London earlier this year.1In June the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that two children in England died from measles so far this year.2 The latest UKHSA figures show there were over 801 confirmed cases of measles between 1 January 2026 and 15 June 2026, compared with 959 cases for the whole of 2025.3Over half (54%) of measles cases were in London, with 17% in the West Midlands and 11% in the north west. However, the UKHSA said that all regions have reported at least one confirmed case this year.NHS England said there is a gap of 7.5% in vaccine coverage between the...