Not vaccinating enough children against measles could cost England 290m, experts say

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"Not vaccinating enough children against measles could cost England more than 290m and result in hundreds of deaths, researchers warn. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to affect humans, but following a dramatic fall in vaccination rates, the UK is no longer considered to have "eliminated" the disease in the eyes of global health officials. About 3 per cent of parents in the UK are reported to have refused to vaccinate their children."

Measles vaccination rates in the UK have fallen dramatically, and the country is no longer considered to have eliminated measles by global health officials. About 3 per cent of UK parents reportedly refuse to vaccinate their children. Scientists at Imperial College London's Jameel Institute simulated continued low vaccination and predicted, over 20 years, two major outbreaks resulting in 392,805 additional cases and 480 deaths. The model estimated total economic costs of £292 million over two decades, with 26 per cent from healthcare and 74 per cent from productivity losses, including parents taking time off work to care for sick children.

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