Two children in England have died from measles, health officials have confirmed, as new data reveals over 100 additional infections in the past two weeks. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported on Thursday that one child succumbed to acute measles, while the other died from late effects of the disease.
According to a senior public health source, this marks the first time since 2018 that two children have died from measles in a single year in England and Wales. The UKHSA warned that measles continues to spread across multiple regions, with the highest case numbers recorded in London, the east of England, and the West Midlands over the last month.
Since the previous update two weeks ago, an additional 106 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles have been reported in England. This brings the total number of confirmed cases from 1 January to 8 June to 736, compared to 959 cases for the entirety of 2025. The majority of these cases involve unvaccinated children aged 10 and under, the UKHSA noted.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, expressed condolences to the affected families. “Our thoughts and condolences are with the families who have so tragically lost their children. Measles continues to circulate in many parts of the country and, as we have seen, it can be very serious and even fatal. We urge all parents to ensure their children are up to date with their MMR or MMRV vaccines, providing the best and safest protection against measles, which spreads very easily.”
She added that anyone who has missed out on measles vaccines can catch up through their GP practice, regardless of age. “Getting vaccinated also helps protect babies who are too young to be vaccinated and people who cannot receive the vaccine due to health conditions. Please do not delay; if you or your child are not up to date, book an appointment today.”
In February, MPs and health experts told the Guardian that children were being put at risk because the NHS was “clearly failing” to ensure they received the MMR vaccine. There have been growing calls for major reforms in how MMR jabs are delivered, as vaccination rates in some parts of England are now comparable to those in Afghanistan and Malawi.
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that spreads easily among unvaccinated individuals. While many recover, it can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, brain inflammation, and, in rare cases, long-term disability or death. In January, the World Health Organization declared that the UK was no longer considered to have eliminated measles, following stalled vaccination coverage and rising cases.
Latest data shows that 91.8% of five-year-olds in England received one dose of the MMR vaccine in 2024-25, unchanged from the previous year and the lowest level since 2010-11. Health Secretary James Murray expressed his condolences, stating, “These deaths are a heartbreaking reminder that measles is not a harmless childhood illness. It can lead to serious complications that can be fatal, and the MMR vaccine, which has saved countless lives, remains our best protection. I urge all parents and carers to check that their children are up to date with vaccinations. It is never too late to catch up, even if a dose was missed. By ensuring our children are vaccinated, we protect them and help safeguard the most vulnerable in our communities.”
