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Measles vaccination programmes need a shot in the arm
The increased risk of a measles outbreak in London highlights the need for more access to vaccination — not just in this country but worldwide, write ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and JOEL HELLEWELL

IN the 19th century, London used to be a haven for measles, with millions catching the disease. Karl Marx and his family were among them: in May 1854 they all got measles, the three Marx children aged between six and nine probably having picked it up at school.

Today, rates of measles in London are vanishingly low compared to the 1850s. However, last week on July 14 a report from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that London is at risk of a large measles outbreak in the near future.

Models predict that measles could spread in a London outbreak of 40-160,000 people, potentially causing dozens of deaths and the hospitalisation of thousands.

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