Map of rise in measles infections as experts warn of 'damaging myths'

Sefton Council officials have issued a warning about "dangerous myths" and disinformation about vaccinations and believes they are having a direct impact on uptake rates. The Health and Wellbeing Board met at Bootle Town Hall on Tuesday September 11 to discuss a public health report which included information about vaccine hesitancy in the borough.

The report detailed research which showed England no longer has the levels of population immunity recommended by the World Health Organisation of 95%, and this has led to increased risk for those who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. It means that infections like measles and whooping cough are rising.

Chair of Healthwatch Sefton, Dr John Turner discussed some of the reasons why he thought vaccination rates have declined. He said: "We definitely have a very damaging social media, insidious, continuing campaign based on false information.

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Dr Turner added: "Social media hotlines are feeding people really serious disinformation so we are seeing falling [vaccination uptake]."

Dr Turner's analysis about the dangers of misinformation was also accompanied with universal board agreement about the need for further education and supporting people to access vital services with confidence. Sefton's Director of Public Health, Margaret Jones said: "It's also important to mention that not everybody is anti-vax, lots of people just want to ask questions and we should be encouraging that."

The warning by Sefton Council came a day before it was confirmed by UK health officials that a child has died from measles and thousands more people have been infected this year. Our interactive map shows the areas with the most lab-confirmed infections of this once-eradicated disease.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) there have been 78 lab-confirmed cases of measles since the last update two weeks ago. That brings the total number of cases in England this year up to 2,465, as of September 9. The vast majority, 61%, or 1,513 infections, were in children aged 10 and younger.

The UKHSA has now confirmed a young person died from acute measles in the first quarter of this year, the first in England since the current outbreak began. Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist, said: “Measles is preventable with two doses of the MMR vaccine, but many thousands of children around the country are still not vaccinated and may be at risk of serious illness or life-long complications.

"No parent wants this for their child. Don’t put it off, please act today so we can ensure that all children are given the best protection."

Sefton Council's board of health announced at the meeting that there is to be a new interactive 'microsite' which can be used by both people who live and work in Sefton. The new information resource will make use of various multimedia formats and will provide guidance and advice around vaccinations, through work undertaken with experts in the region.

The microsite is due to go live in October 2024 and will be regularly updated so that activity and up to date information can be added to the site throughout the year. The aim of the project is to improve vaccine uptake and address health inequalities which will be developed and monitored through the health protection forum.