Child's Measles Death Prompts Call for Higher MMR Vaccine Uptake

Health officials have urged people to come forward for the measles vaccine if they are not up to date with their shots after a child at Alder Hey children's hospital in Liverpool died from the disease.

- Ian Sample

The city has experienced a surge in cases among young people, and the hospital warned parents last week that the spike in infections was due to lower uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

According to the Sunday Times, the child was ill with measles and other health problems and was being treated at Alder Hey.

A statement from the Alder Hey Children's NHS trust said: "To respect patient confidentiality, we can't comment on individual cases."

Uptake of the vaccine has fallen across the country in the past decade with rates across England now at 84%. In Liverpool, only 73% of children aged five have received the necessary two shots, while in parts of London uptake is below 65%. To ensure herd immunity, where enough people are protected to prevent the virus spreading, vaccination rates must hit 95%.