Parents across Lancashire reminded to ensure children’s vaccinations are up-to-date

Parents across Lancashire are being reminded to ensure that their children’s measles vaccinations are up-to-date after an outbreak of the potentially fatal disease in London.

Sixty children have been infected and 15 of them hospitalised in the borough of Enfield in the capital. 

While Lancashire has a higher take-up rate of the two-dose measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab than the England average – and far higher than in Enfield – it remains below the 95 percent coverage level recommended by the World Health Organisation.

According to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency, 88.6 percent of five-year-olds in the Lancashire County Council area had had both doses  during 2024-2025, compared to 83.7 percent across England.

The figures for the Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen areas were 87.4 percent and 83.7 percent, respectively.   

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health at Lancashire County Council, said:  “Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among those who are unvaccinated. It is particularly severe for any child and, unfortunately, can lead to serious complications, especially in young infants and those with weakened immune systems. In rare cases, it can tragically result in death.

“Measles is preventable with two doses of the MMR vaccine, yet many thousands of children across the country remain unvaccinated and at risk. The MMR vaccine offers the best protection against measles.

“Please act now to ensure your children are fully protected. You can check your child’s immunisation Red Book or speak with your GP surgery.”

Blackpool Council’s director of public health, Dr Arif Rajpura, added: “We have had no cases of measles in Blackpool in recent years, thanks to high vaccine uptake and the efforts of our public health teams.

“We work hard to protect our communities, knowing that vaccines play an important part in reducing the risk of children developing serious diseases.”

Blackpool Council says it has worked with the NHS “to deliver a wide-reaching immunisation programme in recent years” – including by commissioning door-to-door outreach from Fylde Coast Medical Services, which the authority says has “helped to reach families directly”. 

Work has also included school-based catch-up clinics, for children aged between 5-18 who may have missed their first or second dose of the MMR vaccine.