As jab rates fall, measles may be next big danger

CORONAVIRUS could be followed swiftly by a pandemic of measles and other deadly diseases because of lower vaccination rates.

Officials are concerned many parents are not taking their children for routine jabs such as the MMR, for fear of exposing them to the contagion.

Surgeries were sent a memo last month entitled ‘keep calm and carry on vaccinating’, warning that a steep drop in uptake could lead to outbreaks of ‘vaccine-preventable diseases’.

The note from health chiefs added: ‘Providing baby and parents are well and not displaying symptoms of Covid-19 or other infections, routine childhood immunisations should proceed.’

The World Health Organisation last night warned that 117million children could miss out on the measles vaccine because 24 countries have suspended their immunisation programmes, with more set to follow.

While the UK has maintained its vaccination programme, experts fear that many parents are failing to attend during the lockdown. Inoculation rates are already falling because of years of misinformation and dangerous ‘antivaxx’ propaganda.

Last year the Daily Mail launched a major campaign to improve uptake after Britain lost its ‘measles-free’ status. Uptake of all childhood vaccines fell in England last year but experts are particularly concerned about measles.

Every case of the viral infection is passed on to 12 others – meaning even a small outbreak can quickly spread.

In comparison, each case of Covid-19 is passed on to just two or three others.

Joanna Rea, of Unicef UK, said Britain was at risk of a second pandemic.

‘The UK is not safe from a measles outbreak,’ she said. ‘Disruptions to routine vaccine services will increase the risk of children contracting deadly diseases, compound the current pressures on the NHS and risks a second pandemic.’

Dr Doug Brown of the British Society for Immunology said: ‘Measles is one of the most infectious diseases on the planet. Any further slip in vaccination rates would leave us open to more measles outbreaks. We need to make sure that parents know that these services are continuing and that they should book for their child to be vaccinated as normal.

‘If your child is due one of their routine vaccinations, contact your GP surgery and make the appointment today.’

The Royal College of GPs has issued guidance to doctors telling them that vaccinations should remain a priority ‘regardless of the prevalence of Covid-19 for the duration of the pandemic’.

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‘Leave us open to outbreaks’