There is an urgent need to address falling immunisation rates to protect children against measles, local authority leaders have said.
The call came from the Local Government Association (LGA) following the death of a child in Liverpool after contracting measles.
Only 84% of children in England receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine by age two, and just 88.8% receive both doses by age five.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 95% of a population should be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity.
In 2025, there have so far been 529 confirmed measles cases in England with 68% occurring in children under the age of 10.
‘We need action alongside awareness and councils stand ready to work in close partnership with the NHS and national government to ensure families have access to clear, trusted information and convenient services to help ensure every child is protected,’ said Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board.
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