Vaccination campaign launched after London measles outbreak

The government has launched the 'Stay Strong, Get Vaccinated' campaign across England after a measles surge in North London; MMR coverage in England is reported at 89% and the UK recently lost its WHO measles elimination status.

The government has launched a new advertising campaign across England called "Stay Strong, Get Vaccinated" following a measles outbreak in North London. The campaign is aimed at parents of children aged zero to five and uses 30-second TV adverts, online video, social media content and digital display advertising. It follows a fall in routine childhood vaccination coverage and a recent surge of measles cases reported in the London borough of Enfield. Key facts: - Officials have launched the "Stay Strong, Get Vaccinated" campaign across England aimed at parents of young children. - MMR vaccine coverage in England is reported at 89%, and the UK lost its WHO measles elimination status after a high caseload in 2024; Enfield has reported at least 34 unvaccinated children infected this year, with several hospitalised. - A cross-party group of MPs called for the reinstatement of the WHO 95% vaccination target after it was dropped from NHS planning guidance; the health secretary said the change was part of reducing the number of national priorities to give local authorities greater control. Summary: The campaign is presented as an effort to help parents understand the protection vaccines provide amid falling routine childhood vaccination rates and recent measles cases in London. Experts cited access to GP appointments and reductions in health visitor numbers as factors linked to lower coverage. Undetermined at this time.