Capital’s children at risk from new measles epidemic

Children in London could be at risk from the measles epidemic currently gripping South Wales, an expert has warned.

London has the lowest uptake of the MMR vaccination in Britain, meaning it is more likely that the outbreak could spread to the capital, according to Dr David Elliman, an immunisation expert at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

He said outbreaks were already occurring in the North and added: “In London we have lower uptakes than most of the country — it would be a surprise if we don’t start to have outbreaks.”

He said London is at higher than average risk because of the health service’s “lack of access” to travellers, immigrants and temporary residents for whom vaccinations are not a priority.