The NHS is failing to protect children from measles, experts warn, as vaccination rates in England plummet to levels comparable to Afghanistan and Malawi. With fewer than 60% of five-year-olds in some areas receiving the recommended doses of the MMR vaccine, outbreaks like the one in north London are becoming increasingly common. This has led to a public health crisis, with children facing the risk of hospitalization and even death from measles. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health advocates for pharmacies to play a role in vaccination rollout, citing the need for faster and more accessible services. However, the Department of Health and Social Care has not indicated whether pharmacies will start delivering MMR jabs, and the NHS has been accused of complacency in its failure to halt the decline in vaccination rates over the last decade. The situation highlights the importance of public health measures and the need for urgent action to protect children from preventable diseases.
