Make measles jab compulsory, GPs urge

Leading GPs have insisted that the MMR jab should be compulsory for children before they are allowed to start primary school to stop the resurgence of measles and mumps.

In a letter to ministers, seen by the Guardian, four London GPs claim that schools should ask all parents to prove their four- or five-year-old has had their two recommended doses of the vaccine before they can attend, with the only exceptions for children whose parents have registered a conscientious objection to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine or those whose health means they cannot have it.

The proportion of five-year-olds in England receiving both doses has fallen in recent years to 87.2 per cent, below the 95 per cent the World Health Organisation says is necessary to provide herd immunity and in effect eradicate measles, mumps and rubella.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson have been encouraged to embrace the proposed change in policy, which health leaders say would save lives and tackle dangerous ‘complacency’ among parents who do not ensure that their child is fully immunised.

The letter reads: “Schools need to check that all their pupils have been vaccinated. In other countries, certificates of vaccination are required prior to school entry. Here in the UK we could mandate that all children need to be vaccinated by a health professional, allowing for exemptions for either conscientious objection or medical contraindication.”