Deadly measles being held at bay by NHS Scotland’s vaccination levels

By Professor John Robertson OBA

From Public Health Scotland, today:

There were 19 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in the first three quarters of 2024: six cases in the first quarter, eight cases in the second quarter, and five cases in the third quarter. Of these 19 cases, ten are thought to have been imported and related to travel outwith the UK, and one further (secondary) case was related to one of these imported cases. Of the remaining eight cases, three cases had history of recent travel in England and may have acquired measles there; the other five cases had no history of recent travel out with Scotland. The lack of onward transmission associated with the majority of these cases highlights the success of the MMR vaccination programme, the importance of maintaining high vaccine uptake in Scotland, and reflects the robust public health management of these cases.1  

All things being equal in terms of immunisation levels and quality of healthcare, NHS England might have been expected to report around 190 cases in the same period.

From GOV.UK on 21 November 2024:

 Since 1 January 2024, there have been 2,707 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England, an increase of 106 cases since the last report on 24 October 2024. 2

The level of measles infection in England is thus 14 times the level in Scotland.

In Scotland, 92.8% of children had the first dose of MMR vaccine by 24 months of age. This rose to 95.8% for children who had reached age 5.3

The World Health Organisation target for herd immunity is 95%

The equivalent figures for England were 88.9% and 83.9%. 4

BBC Scotland seems unconcerned for our health.

Sources:

  1. https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/immunisation-and-vaccine-preventable-diseases-quarterly-report/immunisation-and-vaccine-preventable-diseases-quarterly-report-july-to-september-2024-q3/#section-2
  2. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-epidemiology-2023/confirmed-cases-of-measles-in-england-by-month-age-region-and-upper-tier-local-authority-2024#:~:text=1%20January%202024.-,Situational%20update,(Figures%201%20and%202).
  3. https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/childhood-immunisation-statistics-scotland/childhood-immunisation-statistics-scotland-quarter-ending-30-june-2024/
  4. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-immunisation-statistics/england-2023-24/6in-1-vaccine#mmr2-vaccine-second-dose-

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One thought on “Deadly measles being held at bay by NHS Scotland’s vaccination levels”

  1. Pingback: Glenn Campbell and the ‘significant underperformance in key public services like the NHS’ that does not survive a collision with the evidence – Talking-up Scotland

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