The NHS has launched a major catch-up campaign urging around one million families to get their children vaccinated against measles and other preventable diseases, following the deaths of two children from measles in England this year.
Campaign Targets Children Aged Two to 11
Health officials are reaching out to parents whose children have missed one or both doses of the MMR/V vaccine, which also protects against mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. GPs will contact families with children under six directly, while those with children aged six to 11 will be reached via the NHS App, text, email, or letter.
Figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show there have been 801 measles cases in England so far this year, compared to 959 for the whole of 2025. The catch-up campaign aims to prevent further outbreaks and protect vulnerable communities.
Official Urges Parents to Come Forward
NHS director of vaccination Caroline Temmink said: “Measles can be devastating for families, with sometimes tragic consequences, which is why we’re reaching out to parents to help them protect their children. These childhood illnesses are serious and some of them in rare cases can be fatal, but they are entirely preventable.”
She added: “This is why GPs based in the communities they know so well are contacting families to help overcome any barriers to getting children the protection they need. If you are invited to catch up on your child’s vaccinations, please come forward and take up this crucial offer.”
Vaccination Coverage Below Elimination Threshold
Public health minister Sharon Hodgson emphasized the importance of vaccination: “Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect children from serious diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. These illnesses can be devastating, but they are preventable through routine childhood immunisation.”
She urged: “If you’ve been contacted by the NHS to catch up on your child’s vaccinations, I encourage you to take up this offer as soon as possible. Making sure children are fully vaccinated means we can help keep them healthy, protect vulnerable people in our communities and prevent future outbreaks.”
Earlier this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the UK is no longer considered to have eliminated measles, following a plateau in vaccination coverage and a surge in cases. Data for the first three months of the year show that only 84.1% of five-year-olds had received both doses of the MMR vaccine.
The NHS England catch-up campaign will run until March next year.
