HPA: Measles at highest level for 18 years

Source: Health Protection Agency (HPA) Area: News According to figures published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), there were 2,016 confirmed cases of measles in England and Wales reported in 2012 - the highest annual total since 1994. The cases reported during 2012 have been associated with prolonged outbreaks in Merseyside and Sussex, as well as several smaller outbreaks in travelling communities across England and Wales.   The head of immunisation at the HPA commented that MMR vaccine uptake is now at historically high levels, but that measles can spread easily among communities that are poorly vaccinated. The only way to prevent outbreaks is to ensure continued good uptake of the MMR vaccine in the UK, and to take immediate public health action when cases are reported, to target any unvaccinated individuals in the vicinity.
Source: NeLM - News - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news