Partners work together to raise awareness following measles outbreak in North London
Public Health teams, the North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB), and Healthwatch Islington are working together to support awareness campaigns, community outreach, and training sessions. The aim is to make sure residents understand the risks of measles and feel confident asking questions about vaccinations.
Recent data shows measles cases have increased in England. Outbreaks in North London have mainly affected children who were not fully vaccinated, and health services are concerned that uptake of the MMR vaccine has fallen in recent years.
Measles spreads very easily and can make children and adults very unwell. The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine. Children need two doses to be fully protected. Having only one dose is not enough to prevent infection, which is why checking vaccination records is especially important during an outbreak.
Workshops for voluntary and community organisations
The ICB is running a series of online workshops for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across North London. These sessions are designed to help staff and volunteers feel confident answering questions about measles and vaccinations, and to make sure communities receive accurate information. The first session will be on 26th March. Book here.
The workshops include input from clinicians explaining how measles spreads and how vaccination protects families and communities.
A second workshop will take place on 14 April, which Healthwatch Islington’s Childhood Immunisations Outreach Worker, Ella, will be presenting at.
Community outreach in Islington
Alongside the workshops, Healthwatch Islington is running awareness sessions with local community organisations, including the Eritrean Community in the UK, Community Language Support Services, and Islington Somali Community. These sessions give residents the opportunity to share any concerns they have about vaccinations and talk them through in a trusted space. They also provide access to information and resources about vaccinations in community languages, helping make sure people can get clear and reliable advice in a meaningful way.
One dose wasn't enough...I wouldn't want a family to go through what happened to us. [I] hope this may help people to realise how important vaccinations are.
A reminder of how serious measles can be
Health partners say the current outbreak is a reminder that measles should not be seen as a mild illness and that one in five measles cases in children needs hospital care. But it is important to know that teenagers and adults can also be infected with the disease if not double vaccinated. An Islington parent shared their experience after their teenager became seriously unwell with measles and needed hospital treatment. They said:
“One dose wasn't enough...I wouldn't want a family to go through what happened to us. [I] hope this may help people to realise how important vaccinations are.”
Where to find trusted information
You can find more information about measles and the MMR vaccine here:
NHS measles information
Healthier Together measles advice
If you are not sure whether your child has had both MMR vaccinations, you can contact your GP practice or please feel free to get in touch with our Childhood Immunisations Outreach Worker Ella:
+44 7473 399 319
