Health officials urge MMR uptake after baby contracts measles in north-east and Cumbria

Health officials in England's north-east and Cumbria renewed calls for parents to ensure children receive the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine after figures for 2024-25 showed vaccination rates remain below the 95% level widely regarded as necessary to prevent sustained transmission.

None of the 12 local authority areas in the region achieved the 95% threshold in the latest data. Middlesbrough recorded the lowest uptake at 82.5%, although that represented an increase from 77.9% the previous year, while Cumbria had the region's highest overall rate but saw a slight fall to 94.3% from 94.8% in 2023-24. Eight areas reported modest rises in immunisation but rates across the region continue to range between about 82% and 94%.

Public health officials said the shortfall leaves vulnerable infants and unimmunised people at greater risk. Measles is among the most contagious human diseases, and experts say two doses of MMR strongly reduce the chance of infection and severe complications. In the UK childhood immunisation schedule, the first MMR dose is typically given at around 12 months, with a second dose later in early childhood to complete protection.

The call for improved uptake followed the case of a seven-month-old baby who contracted measles. The infant, too young to have received the MMR vaccine, developed a classic measles rash and severe symptoms that the child's mother described as "terrifying." The case underlines how young infants rely on high community vaccination levels for indirect protection.

Dr Catherine Monaghan, medical director for the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, warned of the risks posed by falling or stagnant uptake. "Measles is dangerous and one of the most infectious diseases in the world," she said, urging parents to follow the recommended immunisation schedule and to check children’s records for missed doses.

Local NHS services and public health teams have mounted campaigns in recent years to boost uptake, including targeted outreach in areas with lower coverage and reminders for families. Middlesbrough’s rise in coverage in 2024-25 was the largest in the region, officials said, but public health leaders stressed that further increases are needed across the area to reach the level of protection that prevents outbreaks.

Health professionals noted that pockets of low vaccination can allow measles to spread quickly, leading to outbreaks that disproportionately affect the very young, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. When herd immunity falls below the threshold, a single imported case can spark wider transmission.

Officials urged parents who are unsure about their child’s vaccination status to contact their local GP or health visiting service. They also recommended that older children and adults check their records and obtain a catch-up MMR dose if they missed one, especially ahead of travel to areas where measles remains more common.

Public health teams said they will continue to monitor coverage closely and respond with community-based interventions where needed to raise uptake and reduce the risk of further cases.