Parents in Devon are being asked to make sure their children are vaccinated against measles as the disease spreads across the UK and Europe.

Measles is among the most contagious diseases in the world, but two doses of the MMR vaccine during childhood can offer lifelong protection. However-vaccine uptake in Britain is below recommended levels, and cases have been rising.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also warned that the spread of measles in Europe could put families at risk on their summer holiday. This year, outbreaks have been seen in several European countries, including France, Italy, Spain and Germany.

Dr Alex Degan, a GP in Devon and primary care medical director at NHS Devon, said: “It’s essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with two MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family.

“Measles cases are picking up again in England, and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK.

“Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain, with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences.

“Nobody wants that for their child, and it’s certainly not something you want to experience when away on holiday.”

If you aren’t sure whether your child has received both doses of the MMR vaccine, you can check their Red Book (child health record) or contact your GP.  

Data published in May 2025 showed there have been 420 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles in England since the start of this year. Of those, two in three cases (66%) were in children aged 10 and under, but measles has also been diagnosed in young people and adults.

Since the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1968, at least 20 million measles cases and 4,500 deaths have been prevented in the UK.

Getting vaccinated means you are also helping protect others who can’t have the vaccine, including infants aged under one year and people with weakened immune systems, who are at greater risk of serious illness and complications from measles.

However, measles remains endemic in many countries around the world, and with declines in MMR vaccine uptake observed over the last decade, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have also seen large measles outbreaks in Europe and other countries.

Find out more about the MMR vaccination on the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine/