By Professor John Robertson

Thanks to Dottie again for alerting me to this.

From the Sunday Times, yesterday, the above disturbing report of cuts to vaccine programmes:

As of 15th May 2024, there have been 11 cases of measles confirmed in Scotland. ¹ When in February there were 5, all were ‘linked to travel’ ie not due to infection within Scotland. ²

According to the ONS, 26 March, 2024:

In the UK, 24-month coverage of measles, mumps and rubella first dose vaccination (MMR1) remained at 89.9% ³

In January 2024, from the UK Government:

In order for our measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to work, the World Health Organisation recommends at least 95% coverage to maintain population coverage ⁴

From Public Health Scotland in March 2024:

93.0% of children had the first dose of MMR vaccine by 24 months of age. This rose to 95.2% for children who had reached age 5. ⁵

Sources:

1. https://publichealthscotland.scot/our-areas-of-work/health-protection/infectious-diseases/measles/data-and-surveillance/disease-surveillance/#:~:text=Current%20situation%20in%20Scotland&text=As%20of%2015%20May%2C%20there,confirmed%20measles%20case%20in%202023.
2. https://publichealthscotland.scot/news/2024/february/update-on-measles-in-scotland/
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cover-of-vaccination-evaluated-rapidly-cover-programme-2023-to-2024-quarterly-data/quarterly-vaccination-coverage-statistics-for-children-aged-up-to-5-years-in-the-uk-cover-programme-april-to-june-2023#:~:text=in%20the%20UK%2C%2024%2Dmonth,decreased%20by%200.2%25%20to%2093.2
4. https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024-01-22/debates/29B032B2-5ED2-4EA6-A12B-22766A4316EF/Measles#:~:text=In%20order%20for%20our%20measles,second%20dose%20at%20five%20years.
5. https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/childhood-immunisation-statistics-scotland/childhood-immunisation-statistics-scotland-quarter-and-year-ending-31-december-2023/