London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today (26 January 2026) that the UK has lost its measles elimination status.

The decision is based on data showing 2,911 laboratory confirmed measles cases in England in 2024, the highest number of cases recorded annually since 2012. There were almost 1,000 confirmed cases last year.

Dr Ben Kasstan-Dabush, Assistant Professor of Global Health & Development at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said:

“It is unsurprising the UK has lost its WHO measles elimination status, following nationwide outbreaks since 2024 and the preventable death of a child in 2025. Sustained measles transmission reflects a decade-long decline in routine vaccination coverage and the persistent failure in the UK to reach the 95% measles vaccine coverage threshold recommended by WHO. Profoundly low coverage in areas such as Hackney underscores the unequal distribution of risk and harm to children.

“There is no quick fix for declining vaccination coverage, particularly as the UK government advances policies that simultaneously offer opportunities and create new challenges. Welfare reforms proposed by the current Labour government should be leveraged to reverse this trend and support recovery in vaccination coverage, especially in areas of high deprivation and low uptake. Investment in Best Start hubs and health visiting could strengthen integration across early years services and provide valuable touchpoints to discuss and deliver vaccinations. 

“However, the burden of responsibility for childhood immunisation ultimately rests with primary care, which will require sustained support and secure funding to tailor outreach and engage undervaccinated communities. Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), which plan and fund NHS services at area levels, are expected to reduce operational costs by up to 50% and this risks undermining efforts to strengthen vaccine coverage. If we are to regain our measles elimination status then we must have a coherent, joined-up approach to public health, sadly the opposite to what we are currently seeing across England.”

Find out answers to common questions about measles in our article Measles in the UK.

On 2 January 2026 it was announced young children in England would be offered two doses of the combined MMRV vaccine, that protects against chickenpox (varicella) as well as measles, mumps and rubella, replacing the MMR vaccine.

This article is a rapid reaction to a breaking news story