UK: Measles surge not down to vaccine failure

September 18, 2008

Measles surge not down to vaccine failure

18 Sep 08

By Emma Wilkinson

Ongoing surges in measles cases in the UK are a result of falling

immunisation rates and not a failure of the MMR vaccine, research from the

Health Protection Agency has confirmed.

Analysis of laboratory confirmed measles cases between 2002 and 2007 showed

one dose provides 95% protection and two doses 100% protection against the

infection.

During the study period there were 1,794 cases confirmed by the HPA in

children eligible for the MMR vaccine, 786 from communities where vaccine

uptake was representative of the general population.

Of those 730 (93%) had received no MMR vaccine at all, 50 (6%) had received

one dose of the vaccine and only six cases (1%) had received two doses of

the vaccine.

Latest figures show national uptake of MMR is still only 84% for the first

dose and 76% for the second.

Presenting the data at the annual HPA conference, Dr Ramsay, HPA

consultant in immunisation, said the effectiveness seen in the study was

similar to that shown in the early clinical trials of the measles vaccine.

'These results confirm that the current problems with measles cases are

mainly due to children not receiving MMR vaccine.

'It reinforces the need for children and young adults to complete the

recommended vaccine schedule to be fully protected.'

Dr Kassianos, RCGP immunisation spokesperson said current circulating

strains were very susceptible to the MMR vaccine and the need for a catch-up

programme was great.

'The Department of Health announced a catch-up campaign but GPs haven’t

heard exactly how it’s going to be run.

'They left it to the PCTs to organise but many GPs do not know what’s happening

- it’s important there is no delay.'

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