More measles cases in London amid outbreak
More new cases of measles have been recorded in north London, amid a recent outbreak of the disease.
Figures released Thursday by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed there had been 16 new cases in Enfield in the past week. The figures also show it has spread to nearby Haringey, where 10 new cases were recorded.
It brings the total number of recorded measles cases in London to 88 since the beginning of the year, with the majority of cases occurring in children under 10 years old.
Earlier this week, parents in the area were told their children could be excluded from school if they were not fully vaccinated against measles and had been in contact with someone with measles.
Lower vaccination rates
In the year 2024 to 2025, the average measles vaccination rate in England was 83.7%.
However, in London, this fell to 69.6%, with only 64.3% being vaccinated in Enfield.
Dr Oge Ilozue, a GP in Barnet and senior clinical advisor for the NHS London Vaccination Programme, told the BBC that there were a number of reasons why people were not getting themselves, or their children vaccinated, including the abundance of misinformation online.
She said: "We've used (the vaccines) for years and years and we know they are safe and effective at protecting against these diseases and the complications that might occur.
The GP said she believed some people may also be "complaisant," with some people thinking "it's only measles" - but, Ilozue explains: "These infections can cause quite serious complications."
The GP said vaccination programmes were being taken out into communities and places of worship, to try and encourage more people to protect themselves and families.
Lucia das Neves, member for health at Haringey Council, said they were working closely with local and national partners, including the UKHSA, NHS and Enfield Council, to protect residents and limit the spread of measles in Haringey.
She added: "As vaccination is the most effective way to protect your family and the whole community, we have and will continue to urge everyone who is not fully vaccinated to do so now.
"We will continue to mobilise every resource available to us and work alongside healthcare services, schools and community groups to support our residents."
If your child has missed their vaccination there are a number of catch-up clinics around the UK which you can book onto.
The UK recently lost its World Health Organization measles elimination status after more than 2,900 cases of measles were confirmed in England in 2024, the highest level for more than a decade.
There were nearly 1,000 cases in 2025.
The outbreak in Enfield comes as the government launches a wider campaign to improve childhood vaccination uptake for measles and other jabs for under-fives.
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