UK Loses WHO Measles Elimination Status

The World Health Organization announced Thursday that the United Kingdom has lost its measles elimination status, marking the reestablishment of sustained transmission of the highly contagious virus in 2024 after a period of control from 2021 to 2023.

The decision follows a sharp rise in cases, with 3,681 infections confirmed across the UK in 2024, the highest annual total since 2012. Outbreaks that began in late 2023 accelerated the spread, leading to nearly 1,000 additional cases in 2025. Officials at the UK Health Security Agency attribute the resurgence to declining childhood vaccination rates, particularly for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Latest data for England show that 91.9 percent of five-year-olds received at least one dose in the 2024-25 period, unchanged from the previous year and the lowest coverage since 2010-11. For the recommended two doses, the figure stands at 83.7 percent, a slight decline from 83.9 percent and the lowest since 2009-10. The WHO requires at least 95 percent coverage with two doses to achieve and maintain herd immunity, which prevents widespread outbreaks.

The UK first earned measles elimination status in 2017, only to lose it in 2019...