Health experts are urging parents to get their children vaccinated over the summer amid fears of a surge in measles cases when the new school term begins.
Cases of measles have increased since April 2025 – predominately in children under the age of 10 – and the latest monthly figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show an increase of 145 cases over the past month.
There has also been a global increase in measles cases, including Europe, over the past year. The UKHSA is concerned holiday travel and international visits to see family this summer could lead to rising measles cases in England when the new school term begins.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist, said: “The summer months offer parents an important opportunity to ensure their children’s vaccinations are up to date, giving them the best possible protection when the new school term begins. It is never too late to catch up. Do not put it off and regret it later.
“Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences.
“Two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles. Babies under the age of one and some people who have weakened immune systems cannot have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles. They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them.”
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is provided free by the NHS. The first MMR vaccine is offered to infants when they turn one year old and the second dose to pre-school children when they are around three years and four months old.
Anyone, whatever age, who has not had two doses can contact their GP surgery to book an appointment.
Sirona care & health’s delivers the national school aged immunisation programme for childhood flu, human papilloma virus (HPV), meningococcal ACWY, and the diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster (Td/IPV) across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
Our School Aged Immunisation Team is running clinics over the summer holidays to enable school aged children to catch up on any vaccines they missed out on, including the MMR vaccine.
To find out more about the clinics, contact the School Aged Immunisation Team on sirona.sch-imms@nhs.net or 0300 124 5515. You can find out more about the MMR vaccine on the NHS website.
