Measles jabs crucial amid surge, say SW health chiefs

HEALTH chiefs in the South West are urging parents to prioritise vaccine catch-up appointments for their children during the summer holidays as new figures show continued high levels of measles.

- WMN REPORTER

There are also fears that cases could surge once the new school term begins in September.

The latest monthly UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data on measles show there have been 145 cases nationally since the last report on July 3. This brings the total since January 1 to 674 cases.

Of this year’s infections, 8.6% (58/674) of cases were in South West, 48% (322/674) in London, 16% (111/674) in the North West, and 10% (65/674) in the East of England.

For much of 2025, Bristol had seen the highest number of cases in a local authority area, but since May 2025, there have been no new cases of measles reported in the city.

Professor Dominic Mellon, Regional Deputy Director for Health Protection at UKHSA South West said: “While it is good news that there have been no new cases of measles in Bristol since May, we must not be complacent. Measles is still circulating across the country, with recent clusters in the North West and London, with some cases having to be hospitalised.