From Public Health Scotland, yesterday:

Public Health Scotland is aware of five cases of laboratory confirmed measles in Scotland since October 2023, all of which have been linked to travel. The latest two cases were confirmed today, 16 February 2024. PHS is encouraging the public to take up the offer of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Having two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to be fully protected against measles.

Anyone who hasn’t had two doses of the free MMR vaccine is encouraged to visit the NHS Inform website to find out how to arrange an appointment in their local health board area.   Uptake of MMR has declined across all UK nations in recent years and there remains a risk of infection in those who are not vaccinated or not fully vaccinated for their age. 

There were 1 603 suspected cases of measles in England last year and 2 in Scotland.

Before that:

In Scotland, there were no cases of measles reported in the first quarter of 2023. In 2022, there was one case of measles reported which was imported from outwith the UK and was the first case reported in Scotland since 2019.

In Scotland, 93.9% of children had the first dose of MMR vaccine by 24 months of age. This rose to 95.9% for children who had reached age 5.

In England this year every region has reported an infection which does coincide with a record low uptake of the MMR jab The vaccination rate is way below the WHO recommendation and that could see a measles outbreak which could lead to serious complications (including death) especially among the young.

In Leicester only 79.2% have been vaccinated, on a par with Pakistan and Namibia. The average for England is 84.5%, well below the WHO recommended figure of 95%

Globally 136 000 died from measles in 2022.

Around 12 000 vehicles cross into Scotland every day from England.

Now some will disapprove of this comparison but imagine the coverage were it the other way round and after 16 years, the SNP had failed in this way.

Sources:

https://publichealthscotland.scot/news/2024/february/update-on-measles-in-scotland/#:~:text=Public%20Health%20Scotland%20is%20aware,confirmed%20today%2C%2016%20February%202024.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-68007804

https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/immunisation-and-vaccine-preventable-diseases-quarterly-report/immunisation-and-vaccine-preventable-diseases-quarterly-report-january-to-march-2023-q1/main-points/#:~:text=Measles%2C%20mumps%20and%20rubella&text=In%202022%2C%20there%20was%20one,first%20quarter%20of%20the%20year.

https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/childhood-immunisation-statistics-scotland/childhood-immunisation-statistics-scotland-quarter-ending-30-june-2023

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/p1116-global-measles.html#:~:text=This%20takes%20the%20estimated%20number,relentlessly%20increasing%20threat%20to%20children.

https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/thousands-cross-scots-border-daily-18399280

Yes, yes, but drug deaths on ferries!