{"id":81867,"date":"2026-01-26T15:04:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T15:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/uk-loses-measles-elimination-status\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T15:04:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T15:04:00","slug":"uk-loses-measles-elimination-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=81867","title":{"rendered":"UK loses measles elimination status"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The UK has lost its measles elimination status, the World Health Organization has announced.<\/b><\/p>\n

The move was based on the spread of cases in 2024 when there were 3,600 suspected cases.<\/p>\n

Elimination status means there is no sustained transmission so this decision was largely expected, given the scale of the outbreaks in 2024.<\/p>\n

There were more than 1,000 cases last year as well. The move is also a reflection of the fact vaccination rates are below the 95% threshold required to achieve herd immunity – when enough people in a community are vaccinated against a disease, making it hard for the pathogen to spread.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The UK was first declared measles-free in 2017, but lost the status two years later, before regaining it after spread of the virus was almost halted completely in 2021 – although that was mainly because social distancing during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

Outbreaks in late 2023 meant measles started spreading more quickly again, leading to the surge in cases in 2024.<\/p>\n

Vaccination uptake at the end of 2024 was 92% for the first dose and just below 85% for the second dose.<\/p>\n

Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “Infections can return quickly when childhood vaccine uptake falls – measles elimination is only possible if all eligible children receive two MMRV doses before school.<\/p>\n

“The NHS is making vaccination easier, including offering the second MMRV dose earlier at a new 18-month appointment to boost uptake and support elimination goals.”<\/p>\n

She said older children and adults could still get vaccinated as the NHS offered catch-up jabs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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