In a statement following the death of a child at Alder Hey
Children's Hospital in Liverpool after contracting measles, Cllr
David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association's
Community Wellbeing Board, said:
“This is tragic news and our thoughts are very much with the
family and friends of the child who sadly died.
“We are concerned about the increasing number of children and
young people who are contracting measles. Measles is a highly
contagious viral illness which can cause children to be seriously
unwell, requiring hospital treatment, and in rare cases, death.
“There is an urgent need to address falling immunisation rates.
Nationally, only 84 per cent of children in England receive the
first dose of the MMR vaccine by age two, and just 88.8 per cent
receive both doses by age five—below the 95 per cent threshold
recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to achieve
herd immunity.
“These gaps have contributed to 529 confirmed measles cases in
England so far in 2025, with 68 per cent occurring in children
under the age of 10.
“We need action alongside awareness and councils stand ready to
work in close partnership with the NHS and national government to
ensure families have access to clear, trusted information and
convenient services to help ensure every child is protected. The
LGA reaffirms its commitment to the principles outlined in the
10-Year Health Plan and urges the Department of Health and Social
Care to work closely with councils to strengthen vaccination
uptake and safeguard public health.”
Notes to editors
Measles | UKHSA data
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