You may have seen in the news over the weekend (15th Feb 2026) about a large rise in measles cases in London with at least 34 children infected and some needing hospital admission.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection. Early signs can feel like a bad cold, with a high temperature, runny nose, cough, and sore red eyes. After a few days, a red or brown blotchy rash can appear on the face or behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body. Small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and the back of the lips . Most children recover within about ten days, but in some cases, complications like chest infections or, rarely, more serious illness can occur. Babies, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk.
The best protection against measles is vaccination. The MMRV vaccine, which also protects against mumps, rubella and chickenpox (medical name Varicella, hence the “V”. This was introduced to replace the “MMR” at the start of 2026), is offered to all children as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme. Two doses usually provides strong, long‑lasting protection.
If you are unsure whether your child’s vaccinations are up to date, please check their red book or contact the surgery. Catch‑up vaccinations are available free of charge through the NHS.
Whilst there is no evidence that this is spreading further or locally, it is a cause for concern as it shows how quickly a high contagious disease can spread where vaccination rates are low. For more information on Measles’s, use the link below to the NHS A to Z website. This is a useful resource for everyone to use.
- Link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/
- Call NHS 111 for advice
By making sure children receive both doses of the MMRV vaccine, families help protect not only their own children but also vulnerable members of the community. Staying up to date with routine childhood immunisations is the best defence against measles.