Minister of State (): Following my written
statement of 22 January 2024, I wish to provide a further update
to the House on the actions that the Government and health system
are taking in response to an increase in measles cases in
England, particularly in the West Midlands.
The Current Measles Outbreak
Between the 1 October 2023 and the 23 January 2024 there have
been 347 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England,
with 127 of these cases confirmed in January 2024. From 30
January, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will publish
national laboratory confirmed measles case numbers on Gov.UK
weekly rather than the previous monthly cycle. This will provide
more frequent and up-to-date information to support preparedness
and response activity while measles cases remain raised.
Actions Underway to Protect the Public
Measles is a vaccine preventable disease, with long lasting
immunity provided through the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
vaccine. To support increasing the uptake of the MMR vaccine, NHS
England has rapidly implemented a catch-up campaign for missed
MMR vaccines as part of a major drive to protect children from
becoming seriously unwell as measles continues to rise in parts
of the country. From 6 February, parents and carers of
unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children aged 6 to 11 will
receive a first reminder letter, text or email inviting them to
make an appointment with their child’s GP practice for their
missed MMR vaccine. From 12 March second reminders will begin to
be sent.
This national campaign supplements existing measures underway to
work with specific communities to boost uptake in priority areas,
for example, by offering MMR pop-ups and whole-school vaccination
campaigns. Extensive local engagement and communications have
also been undertaken with community and faith leaders to
encourage groups less likely to get their jab to come forward.
Additionally, in London and the West Midlands, the first reminder
invitation letters, texts or emails will be sent in February to
the parents and carers of unvaccinated and partially vaccinated
children aged 11 to 16 and, following that, to young people aged
16 to 25 to invite them to catch up on their missed MMR
vaccinations. This will be followed by a second reminder to these
age groups in March. Reminders will also be accessible for those
over 16 who utilise the NHS app.
In the West Midlands, strategic partnership groups are in place
in three of six NHSE Integrated Care Board areas to oversee
planning, delivery and response across the health system. The
other three Integrated Care Boards also work on a multi-agency
basis to assess preparedness and response activities.
UKHSA West Midlands and regional Department for Education
colleagues hosted a webinar for education and early years
settings last week with over 650 attendees. This focused on
describing the signs and symptoms of measles, what schools need
to know and how they can access more support. In addition, UKHSA
West Midlands and NHS Midlands hosted a webinar for clinicians
and frontline staff in maternity services with over 280
attendees, and significant work across the region to promote MMR
vaccination continues through a range of mechanisms, including
social media and community engagement at a local level.
I will also be chairing a regular measles ministerial
coordination board, bringing together local and national actors
to bring the current outbreak under control.
Work also continues at pace across England regions, particularly
in London, to prepare for the possibility of further cases and
outbreaks, learning from the West Midlands experience. This
preparation includes a multi-agency planning exercise led by
UKHSA that was focused on a potential outbreak in London and
exercising the response to that.
Correction to written statement UIN
HCWS200
I would like to amend the written statement I gave the House on
22 January 2024 and an answer I gave to the House on the same day
in response to an Urgent Question from the Hon. Member for
Birmingham, Edgbaston ().
In the written statement and at the Urgent Question, I stated
that an existing MMR vaccination campaign by NHS England had
resulted in a 10% increase in vaccine uptake compared to the
previous year. I would like to clarify that this 10% increase is
not an overall figure but rather refers to the proportion of
children aged 1-5 who came forward for their MMR jab as a result
of having been identified as eligible for and/or missing one or
both doses and contacted proactively by the NHS between September
22 and February 23 last year to get the jab. The figure I quoted
was from a published NHS England press release, which was
corrected on 23 January 2024.
