Kent and Medway public health leaders are urging parents and carers to help children catch up on measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations if they have missed out on lifelong protection.
Measles quickly spreads, one in five young people who catch it need hospital care and on rare occasions it can sadly be fatal.
With two doses of the MMR vaccine, measles is preventable; but, for many reasons, vaccine rates are falling and cases are on the rise – both in the UK and worldwide.
In 2023/24, 84% (Kent) and 80% (Medway) of children had both doses of MMR for full protection by five years of age – a slight dip on the previous year but still above the national average. Provisional data for the early part of this year also suggests a small increase in uptake.
However, vaccine rates nationally and locally are well short of the 95% that the World Health Organisation (WHO) says is needed to create widespread immunity and prevent measles outbreaks.
Now Kent County Council (KCC) Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, and Medway Director of Public Health, Dr David Whiting, are asking parents and carers to arrange catch up appointments for any child missing a MMR vaccination.
Dr Ghosh said: “Vaccines are our best defence against many diseases and it is thanks to vaccinations that measles was effectively eradicated.
"Now, fewer children are getting protected and this highly infectious disease is back, with over 500 confirmed cases in England since the start of the year.
“While Kent and Medway's vaccine rates remain higher than some, any drop off in protection is concerning because measles is so easily passed on. Our thoughts are also with those regions experiencing outbreaks and loss."
Children have routinely been offered the first dose of MMR at one year and the second dose at three years and four months for full protection.
As part of national changes to immunisations to boost uptake, from 1 January 2026 children born on, or after, 1 July 2024 will be offered the second MMR dose at a new 18-month appointment.
Dr Whiting said: "If you are unsure if your child is up to date with their MMR vaccines, you can check their Red Book health record. If you are still not sure, please contact your GP surgery.
“MMR is safe, effective, free on the NHS and it’s never too late to catch your child up through your GP practice or one of Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s community clinics.
"Getting vaccinated means you are also helping protect others who can’t have the vaccine. This includes infants under one year, and people with weakened immune systems, who are at greater risk of serious illness and complications from measles."
- Find out the dates, places and times for the latest community clinics on the Kent Family website.
- Visit Kent and Medway health and care website www.getvaccinatednow.co.uk for more information about vaccinations.