Measles cases remain high as MMR campaign makes progress
Cases of measles in England are currently at their highest recorded levels since 1994, with the total number of confirmed measles cases so far in 2013 (January-May) at 1,168, compared to 712 for the same period in 2012.
Cases declined in May with 188 confirmed cases compared to 299 for April, suggesting that the MMR catch-up programme may be having an impact. 10-14 year olds continue to be the age group most affected.
Preliminary figures released by Public Health England (PHE) estimate that around 56,000 previously unvaccinated 10-16 year olds in England have received a first dose of vaccine in the catch-up programme, and around the same number of partially vaccinated children have also received an extra dose of MMR.
