Almost a quarter of Midlands children starting school for the first time next week will not be fully protected against measles.

Of the 120,622 children starting school, 92, 217 or 76.5% have had their first and second doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination, but 28,405 remain unprotected.

This is despite measles outbreaks in Coventry, Birmingham and Leicester in 2024, and continuing cases in London and in Greater Manchester.

Measles is one of the world’s most infectious diseases with estimates showing that one infected child or adult can pass the disease on to around 15 other unvaccinated people.

There is currently no cure for measles, however, two doses of the MMR vaccine can give someone effective and lifelong protection against becoming seriously unwell with the disease.

Dr Ash Banerjee, Public Health Consultant with NHS England in the Midlands said: “Last year there were more than 2,900 cases of measles in England – the highest number recorded in more than a decade. Catching measles can lead to life changing issues for anyone catching it – such as blindness, deafness and swelling of the brain.

“We would urge parents and carers to get in touch with their GP surgery and book a MMR vaccination appointment so that children starting school have the protection they need.”

For more information on the MMR vaccine:  MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine – NHS