It comes as vaccination uptake has slumped to its lowest in a decade in England
It comes as vaccination uptake has slumped to its lowest in a decade in England
07:30, 01 Feb 2026Updated 07:47, 01 Feb 2026
A new map has revealed the part of Merseyside where measles has made a comeback, after the UK lost its elimination status for the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) stripped the UK of its elimination status after the disease circulated continuously for more than a year.
The UK was first declared measles-free in 2017, but lost its status two years later, only to regain it in 2021. However, that was mainly thanks to social distancing during the pandemic. Outbreaks began in 2023 and intensified throughout 2024.
In England alone, there were 2,911 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles in 2024. That was the highest number since 2012. On that basis, WHO and the UK Health Security Agency said that the virus had re-established endemic transmission, costing the UK its measles elimination status.
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The most recent figures show that measles cases have fallen since the 2024 peak. However, cases remain high. Since January 1, 2025, 957 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been reported in England.
Most of these infections have been in unvaccinated children under the age of 10.
That includes at least 19 Merseyside cases confirmed by lab tests in the last year. But the actual number may be higher, as the UKHSA suppresses case data in areas with fewer than 10 infections per year.
All 19 Merseyside cases were diagnosed in Knowsley.
That doesn’t necessarily mean there were no cases in other parts of Merseyside, but if infections were identified, there must have been fewer than 10.
It comes as vaccination uptake has slumped to its lowest in a decade in England.
As of last summer, 91.8% of five-year-olds in England had received one dose of the MMR jab (measles, mumps and rubella), and 83.7% were protected by both doses of the vaccine.
WHO says a 95% vaccine coverage is needed to achieve “herd immunity”. But in some parts of the country, vaccination rates were much lower.
In Knowsley, where all lab-confirmed cases have so far been diagnosed, just 76.9% of five-year-olds had received both MMR doses.
But Liverpool has the lowest vaccine rate in Merseyside, with just 75.5% of children receiving both jabs by their fifth birthday.
You can see vaccine rates and the number of confirmed measles cases in your area on our interactive map.
From this year, the MMR jab has been replaced by the MMRV vaccine, which offers the same protection as MMR but also covers chickenpox.
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.
“Older children and adults who missed vaccination must be caught up. 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.”
The key symptoms of measles include a high fever, coughing, sneezing, red and sore watery eyes, and a rash that usually appears after the initial symptoms.
Measles usually starts to get better after a week. However, it can lead to serious problems if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain. Babies and people with weakened immune systems are more at risk from measles.
