The National Health Service (NHS) has launched a nationwide campaign urging approximately one million families to ensure their children receive missed vaccinations against measles and other serious childhood diseases. The appeal targets parents of children aged two to 11 who have not received one or both doses of the MMR/V vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.

Health officials emphasized the urgency of catching up on immunizations as the number of measles cases in England continues to rise. According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), there have been 801 confirmed cases of measles so far in 2026, nearly matching the 959 cases reported throughout 2025. Tragically, two children have died this year as a result of the infection.

Caroline Temmink, the NHS director of vaccination, highlighted the severity of measles, stating that it can have devastating, sometimes fatal, consequences for families. “These childhood illnesses are serious and some of them in rare cases can be fatal, but they are entirely preventable,” she said. Temmink urged parents to respond promptly if contacted about catch-up vaccinations.

The public health minister, Sharon Hodgson, reinforced the importance of immunization, describing it as one of the most effective measures to protect children from serious diseases. She noted that while illnesses like measles can cause significant harm, routine childhood vaccination programs are a reliable safeguard against their spread.

The catch-up initiative marks an effort to address gaps in vaccine coverage that have widened in recent years. Public health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as they work to reduce the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases across the country. Parents are encouraged to check vaccination records and arrange appointments to ensure their children’s immunizations are up to date.