As measles cases continue to surge across north London, health officials and local councils are ramping up efforts to curb the outbreak, with a particular focus on protecting unvaccinated children under the age of 10. Free measles vaccinations are being offered to children on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Harmood Children’s Centre and Family Hub in Forge Place, Camden—a move that underscores the urgency of the situation and the growing concern among public health leaders.
The vaccination clinic, organized by Camden Council, is open to children born on or before December 31, 2019. This targeted push comes as confirmed measles cases in Enfield have reached 50 as of February 16, 2026, with the outbreak now spilling into neighboring Haringey, where 10 new cases were recorded in just one week, according to figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The total number of recorded cases in London since the start of the year has climbed to 88, with the vast majority affecting children under 10 in schools and nurseries.
Dr. Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The outbreak is still mostly affecting unvaccinated children under 10 in schools and nurseries. With the time lag involved with confirming cases through laboratory testing, we expect the actual number of cases to be higher.” She further noted, “The outbreak has led to some children having to be hospitalised. Measles is a nasty illness for any child, but for some it can lead to serious long term complications and tragically death, but is so easily preventable with two doses of the MMRV vaccine.”
Indeed, the consequences of measles infection can be severe. According to HuffPost UK and the NHS, complications from measles can include hearing loss, blindness, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), brain damage, and in some tragic cases, death. In Enfield, one in five children infected during the current outbreak have required hospitalization, and all of those hospitalized had not been fully immunized. The highly contagious nature of measles—estimated to be about six times more infectious than COVID-19—means that outbreaks can spiral rapidly, especially in communities where vaccination rates are low.
Low vaccine uptake has been a persistent problem in some London boroughs. Recent data from the NHS and UKHSA show that, in the year 2024 to 2025, the average measles vaccination rate in England was 83.7%. However, in London, this figure dropped to 69.6%, and in Enfield, it was just 64.3%. These numbers fall well short of the 95% vaccination rate recommended by experts to prevent outbreaks and achieve herd immunity. The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced in January 2026 that the UK no longer meets the criteria for measles elimination, citing the rise in cases and a plateau in vaccine uptake as key reasons.
The roots of vaccine hesitancy are complex. Dr. Oge Ilozue, a GP in Barnet and senior clinical advisor for the NHS London Vaccination Programme, told the BBC that misinformation online, health inequalities, and complacency all play a role. “We've used (the vaccines) for years and years and we know they are safe and effective at protecting against these diseases and the complications that might occur,” Dr. Ilozue explained. She added that some people may dismiss measles as a minor illness, but stressed, “These infections can cause quite serious complications.”
Efforts to improve vaccination rates have become increasingly creative and community-focused. Vaccination programs are being taken directly into communities and places of worship to reach families who might otherwise miss routine appointments. Lucia das Neves, member for health at Haringey Council, said, “As vaccination is the most effective way to protect your family and the whole community, we have and will continue to urge everyone who is not fully vaccinated to do so now. We will continue to mobilise every resource available to us and work alongside healthcare services, schools and community groups to support our residents.”
The government has also launched a national campaign to boost childhood immunization rates for measles and other diseases among under-fives. The NHS is now offering the second dose of the MMR vaccine earlier, at 18 months, to help close immunity gaps more quickly. Temporary vaccination centers have sprung up in affected areas, and Enfield’s director of public health, Dudu Sher-Arami, has written to parents urging them to ensure their children are up to date with their jabs.
The symptoms of measles are distinctive but can initially be mistaken for a common cold. According to pharmacy superintendent Niamh McMillan, “It usually appears three to five days after first signs of symptoms and lasts for several days. The rash can be flat or slightly raised and join together into larger patches.” The NHS notes that the rash can look brown or red on white skin and may be harder to see on brown and black skin. Other early symptoms include fever, cough, a runny or blocked nose, and red, sore, watery eyes. Some patients develop small white spots inside the mouth, known as Koplik spots, before the rash appears. Because measles is so contagious, parents are advised to call their GP before attending in person if they suspect their child has measles.
The current outbreak is part of a troubling national trend. England saw more than 2,900 confirmed measles cases in 2024—the highest level in over a decade—and nearly 1,000 cases in 2025. In July 2024, a child tragically died after contracting the virus. The country had previously achieved measles elimination status in 2017, lost it, regained it in 2021 after pandemic restrictions temporarily halted transmission, but now faces a renewed challenge as cases surge once again.
Experts point to several reasons for the decline in vaccine coverage. Professor Devi Sridhar, Personal Chair of Global Public Health, explained, “A major factor is logistical challenges for parents. Many children were born during the Covid period, when routine vaccination programmes were disrupted. Even now, where rates have improved, that’s often been due to practical measures such as mobile vaccination clinics and giving parents more flexibility to attend appointments. It’s less about parents actively refusing vaccines and more about the realities of work, childcare, and everyday pressures.”
Historically, vaccine hesitancy in the UK was exacerbated by the now-discredited 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield, which falsely linked the MMR vaccine to autism. The resulting fear led many parents to refuse the vaccine, causing a drop in uptake that still lingers in some communities today. Health officials now stress that the MMR and updated MMRV vaccines are safe, effective, and essential for preventing not only measles but also mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.
With the Easter holidays approaching and ongoing outbreaks in parts of Europe, health authorities are urging families—especially those planning to travel—to ensure all members are fully vaccinated. The message is clear: by checking your family’s vaccination status and taking up the free NHS vaccine, you are protecting not only yourselves but also vulnerable members of the community, including babies, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
As north London mobilizes to contain the outbreak, the hope is that renewed focus on vaccination, community outreach, and public awareness will help turn the tide against this preventable but dangerous disease.