Families urged to get children vaccinated due to measles outbreak

More than 60 suspected cases of measles have now been reported in North London as an outbreak which started in Enfield last month continues to spread.

Today (Tuesday 17 February) an NHS care board confirmed the number of infections reported at local hospitals was continuing to increase.

North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB) is responsible for co-ordinating NHS services across Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden and Islington.

Dr Jo Sauvage, the ICB’s chief medical officer, said the measles outbreak is mainly affecting children in schools and nurseries, with the most severe cases — requiring hospital treatment — linked to unvaccinated patients.

She said North London’s uptake of the MMR vaccine is “below optimal levels” at 65 per cent.

While Sauvage said there is “no single cause” for the low vaccination rates, she noted population mobility, the Covid-19 pandemic and practical barriers to appointments as all playing a part.

The health boss said NCL ICB is working with Enfield Council and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) “to control the spread with a system-wide response, including targeted outreach through schools, primary care, community services and local NHS trusts”.

Enfield Council’s cabinet member for health and social care Alev Cazimoglu says the local authority “has had a very robust response to the outbreak of measles since January and many actions have been taken locally”.

Cllr Cazimoglu says all parents and guardians of school-age children are being urged to check their vaccination records. The council is also hosting “catch-up clinics” that any unvaccinated child can be taken to.

At the same time, local nursing teams are contacting families who may have gaps in their vaccination history.

This year the NHS has included protection against chickenpox into the childhood vaccination programme, with the MMRV vaccine protecting children against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox in a single jab.

Cllr Cazimoglu added: “It would be a crucial opportunity for families to use the half-term holiday to check if they are vaccinated and, if they aren’t, to get the MMRV vaccination as soon as possible. It’s the only way to protect yourself and others from the measles. 

“By acting now, you can help protect yourself, your family and the community around you.”

Figures from UKHSA show there have been at least eleven confirmed cases of measles in Haringey since the start of the year, although Haringey Council says none have been hospitalised.

The local authority also says no schools in the borough have had multiple measles cases and it is understood that some cases include children who attend schools in other boroughs. Like other North London councils, Haringey is encouraging parents to get their children vaccinated.

Lucia das Neves, Haringey’s cabinet member for health, says the local authority is working with local and national partners as well as Enfield Council “to protect residents and limit further spread of measles in Haringey”.

Cllr das Neves added: “We will continue to mobilise every resource available to us and work alongside healthcare services, schools and community groups to support our residents.”

Meanwhile, Barnet Council says the borough has recorded “no significant outbreaks or clusters” of measles, with no pupils being sent home from school either.

A spokesperson says the local authority is “monitoring the situation closely” and liaising with Enfield and other neighbouring boroughs. They are also encouraging take-up of the MMR vaccination for children and their parents.

Enfield Council informed parents in January that it may exclude unvaccinated pupils for 21 days if they are identified as being in close contact with an infected person. Barnet Council was asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) if it had been considering a similar response.

The council spokesperson pointed to UKHSA advice that unvaccinated children who have been in contact with a measles case should stay away from school. The government health agency will recommend how long a pupil may need to stay off school based on the assessment of the situation, which includes a discussion with the parent or guardian.

On Monday 16 February NHS England announced a new campaign to boost vaccine uptake in children. It says routine childhood immunisation prevents around 5,000 deaths and 228,000 hospital admissions every year in England.

North London NHS boss Dr Sauvage also reaffirmed the importance of vaccination, saying: “Measles resurges when vaccination rates fall, but this is something we can turn around.

“The vaccine is safe and effective, and by boosting uptake quickly we can prevent further outbreaks.”

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