Measles outbreak: Unvaccinated children could be excluded from schools as health chiefs admit: ‘We’re worried’
Children in north London have been told they face exclusion from schools if they are unvaccinated for measles.
Enfield Council said in a letter to parents that unvaccinated children who have come into contact with a student with measles could be excluded for 21 days, in accordance with national guidelines.
There were almost 1,000 cases of measles in the UK last year. In 2024, Britain lost its World Health Organisation measles elimination status after more than 2,000 cases.
Enfield has seen measles cases soar in recent years, particularly compared to the UK average.
At least 34 children have contracted measles so far in 2025, with a number being admitted to hospital, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.
A local GP surgery also said infections had been confirmed in “at least” seven schools in Enfield and neighbouring Haringey.
A local health chief told the BBC: “We are worried because actually, this is a significantly increased number than what we’re used to.”
While similar outbreaks did “happen in pockets across the country” since 2023, Chief Medical Officer of North Central London Integrated Care Board, Dr Jo Sauvage said: “Certainly in our area we’ve not seen an increase in number of this degree before.”
Children in north London have been told they face exclusion from schools if they are unvaccinated, as health chiefs admit they are ‘worried’ about the outbreak
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Some 60 suspected cases have been confirmed, with the majority of cases within schools and nurseries requiring hospital treatment.
“We’ve been working closely to contain the infection, the spread, but also increase public knowledge and awareness,” Dr Sauvage said.
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