North London measles outbreak: Unvaccinated pupils could be excluded from school
Parents in a north London borough have been warned that children who are not fully vaccinated against measles may be kept out of school for 21 days if identified as close contacts of confirmed cases. The move follows a surge in infections that has left local health teams racing to contain spread and boost immunisation rates.
What schools and families are being asked to do
Local authorities sent letters to families in late January advising that unvaccinated pupils identified as close contacts could be excluded from school for three weeks in line with national guidance. The exclusion period is intended to prevent onward transmission during the virus's incubation window.
Health professionals working in the area say the laboratory-confirmed count stands at at least 34 children so far this year, while local clinicians have flagged around 60 suspected infections, most affecting schools and nurseries. Some children have required hospital treatment, particularly those who had not received the recommended MMR vaccinations.
Clinics and community teams have responded by setting up catch-up sessions to offer missing doses to children and to raise awareness among parents about symptoms — notably high fever, cough and a blotchy red rash — and the potential for serious complications such as pneumonia or meningitis in vulnerable children.
Low MMR uptake and policy questions
Public health leaders highlight a worrying drop in two-dose MMR coverage in parts of the borough: only around 64. 3% of five-year-olds received both recommended doses in the last annual cohort, well below the 95% threshold aimed at preventing outbreaks. That underperformance has left local communities vulnerable to fast-spreading measles.
The outbreak has reignited debate about how childhood immunisation is delivered. Experts and some politicians are pressing for changes to make vaccines easier to access — proposals include widening the range of settings authorised to give MMR jabs, such as pharmacies, and running more targeted outreach programmes so families who have missed routine appointments can catch up quickly.
Health leaders argue that relying primarily on general practices and school-based clinics has not been sufficient to sustain high coverage in all areas. They say more flexible delivery models and sustained public information campaigns will be needed to reverse the decline in uptake and reduce the risk of repeated local outbreaks.
Practical advice and local impact
Families are being urged to check vaccination records for children and adults and to contact their GP or local immunisation service if a dose is missing. For unvaccinated close contacts, exclusion from school for 21 days is intended to protect other pupils and staff while minimising community spread.
Clinicians note that while most measles infections resolve in a week to 10 days, the disease can be severe and has led to hospital admissions among children in the affected area. Public information efforts are emphasising the safety and effectiveness of the MMR vaccine, and local teams have been mobilised to answer questions and provide catch-up appointments.
The current situation underscores a broader national challenge: recent years have seen lower MMR uptake in multiple areas, and officials warn that falling coverage increases the chance of outbreaks and undermines long-term control of measles. For now, the priority locally is containment, protecting unvaccinated children, and persuading families to bring immunisations up to date.
