Plymouth has recorded no confirmed measles cases as infections pass 1,000 across England, with strong childhood vaccination coverage helping to limit the risk of an outbreak.
Plymouth has so far avoided the measles resurgence that has swept across much of England this year, even as the country records more than 1,000 confirmed cases and three deaths. Government data show 1,003 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles in England in 2026, already higher than the total for all of 2025, with the biggest surge coming in the spring before numbers eased in recent months.
The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency suggest the outbreak has been concentrated in parts of London and the West Midlands, while the virus has also been detected across at least 25 local authority areas in England and Wales where 10 or more cases have been confirmed. Officials say the true spread is likely wider than the published figures indicate, because case locations are not broken down when an area has fewer than 10 lab-confirmed infections.
In Plymouth, no infections have been officially confirmed, and there have been none in Devon since measles re-emerged in 2023. Public health specialists say the city’s comparatively strong vaccination coverage may be helping to keep it protected. As of March 2026, 96.7% of Plymouth five-year-olds had received at least one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine, and 92.8% had received both doses, according to local immunisation data.
That is well above the England average, where 92.1% of five-year-olds have had at least one dose and 83.8% are fully vaccinated. Health experts say that level still falls short of the 95% coverage the World Health Organization says is needed for herd immunity, the point at which enough people are protected to make sustained spread much harder. Plymouth’s figures also improved from the previous year, when 94.9% had received a first dose and 91.3% had completed the course.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said the outbreak that began in Enfield in February and spread to other parts of London and the West Midlands accounted for most cases in the first half of the year. She warned that measles can return quickly in communities where vaccination rates are lower and urged parents to ensure children receive both doses before starting school.
Saliba also said older children and adults who missed routine jabs can still catch up through their GP practice. She added that the NHS is making vaccination easier by moving the second MMRV dose to an 18-month appointment, a change intended to improve uptake and help eliminate measles.
Measles typically begins with fever, coughing, sneezing and sore, watery eyes, followed by a rash. While many people recover within a week, the illness can become dangerous if it spreads to the lungs or brain, and babies and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk. Government data also show that most of this year’s cases have been in unvaccinated children under 10, underlining the role of immunisation in preventing further outbreaks.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
