Mother's Heartbreaking Plea: 'My Daughter Would Be Alive If More Children Were Vaccinated'
The grieving mother of a young girl who died from complications after contracting measles as an infant has issued an emotional appeal to parents across the United Kingdom. Rebecca Archer's daughter, Renae, passed away at just ten years old after developing an exceptionally rare and fatal brain disease linked to measles infection.
A Devastating Diagnosis
Renae Archer was merely five months old when she caught measles, making her too young to receive the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine. A decade later, she was diagnosed with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in 2023. This progressive neurological disorder severely impacts the central nervous system and is a known, though uncommon, consequence of measles infection.
"It's like a nightmare," Rebecca Archer shared. "It's still hard to believe that's why Renae's not here anymore. Because of having the measles ten years previous. She was poorly for a few days. After that, everything went back to normal - she was fit and healthy."
The Tragic Decline
The first signs of trouble emerged when Renae began experiencing seizures at school. Medical investigations, including an MRI scan, revealed swelling on her brain. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, robbing her of basic functions.
"Her motor functions started to deteriorate - she just slowly couldn't speak or eat," Rebecca recounted. After Renae was admitted to intensive care, doctors identified SSPE as the cause. The family faced the unbearable decision to turn off her life support machine in September of last year.
A Plea for Vaccination Amid Rising Cases
Rebecca Archer's plea comes at a critical time. The UK has recently lost its measles-free status, as declared by the World Health Organization, following a significant spike in cases during 2024. This outbreak included the death of at least one other child in England.
Rebecca firmly believes her daughter's tragedy was preventable. "Renae hadn't had the MMR because she was under 12 months old," she explained. "If there wasn't an outbreak and more kids had their vaccinations, then she wouldn't have got the measles in the first place. And it wouldn't have ultimately ended her life."
Medical Professionals Echo the Urgency
Dr. Manisha Kumar, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Greater Manchester, emphasised the broader public health imperative. "Rebecca's story is one example of many, that illustrate why we need to urgently reverse the decline in the uptake of childhood vaccinations," she stated.
Dr. Kumar hopes personal testimonies will motivate parents: "It will encourage parents and guardians to check their children's vaccination status and book appointments if any immunisations have been missed."
The Vital Importance of Full Immunisation
Health authorities stress that two doses of the MMR vaccine are essential for lifelong protection against measles, mumps, and rubella. High vaccination rates create 'herd immunity', protecting vulnerable individuals like infants who are too young for the jab and those with compromised immune systems.
Current data reveals a concerning shortfall. By the end of 2024, uptake stood at 92% for the first MMR dose and just below 85% for the crucial second dose, falling short of the 95% target needed to prevent outbreaks.
The UK's measles-free status has been precarious, first achieved in 2017, lost in 2019, regained in 2021, and now lost again following outbreaks in late 2023 and 2024. Rebecca Archer's powerful message from Salford serves as a stark reminder of the very real and devastating consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases.
