Travel to London and measles outbreak

[Cap1365]

Hello,

I booked a city trip to London before realising there is a measles outbreak there, our youngest is 7 months old so hasn’t had her MMR but I’ve asked the dr about early vaccination, I’ve got a telephone appointment in a couple of days with the dr to discuss this. My question is, any advice/ thoughts on taking baby to London or just cancel trip? (I would only take her if she gets the early vaccine) as I don’t think it’s 100% cover (I’m sure nothing is)

thank you

The risk, if any, is negligible. Your baby isn't going to be interacting with lots of other dc who potentially might have measles on your day out. Go and have a great time and don't give this another though.

I didn't know there was an outbreak in London. Latest statistics:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-epidemiology-2023/confirmed-cases-of-measles-in-england-by-month-age-region-and-upper-tier-local-authority-2025

Are you breastfeeding, I think that would offer some protection? I'd probably cancel if it's possible, measles cam be quite serious

How do you know the baby isn't going to interact with any other children? OP hasn't given any indication of what she is doing in London. It also might not be a 'day out' as she says trip. There is always a risk, however small, and op is sensible to cancel if she doesn't want to take the risk. People being blasé over such issues is why measles is a problem again.

Thank you all

yes, we’d be doing usual tourist things and have a 4 year old so Paddington bear stuff and natural history museum etc.

It is not a high alert. There is similar in nw. So you may well encounter it wherever you travel, or not. They won’t give measles jabs earlier though.

Just to update, dr said they wouldn’t offer early vaccine for uk travel (we live in Scotland) and there is no advice not to travel as it’s not a ‘high risk’. She was very reassuring about it all but I suppose it’s an individual choice. She did say the MMR vaccine schedule has changed though so now it will be 12 months for first vaccine and 18 months for second, rather than the previous 3 year 4 month second dose.

What are all the babies living in London doing?

You’ll be fine!

There are 9 million people in London, more in summer. 300 have been diagnosed with measles in the last 6 months. 50 a month. 50 out of 9 million. 0.0005%. I live here and have not met a single person with measles in years

I had no idea there was a measles outbreak in London. I usually spend a couple of nights there a week in our flat. My dd is 9 months old. I imagine the vast majority of children doing the touristy stuff won’t be from London anyway.

I think cancelling the trip would be a massive over-reaction.

There is a measles outbreak in London as the signage in our local hospital says but have I heard of any babies/ toddlers with measles? No. Parent to an 18month old.

I think you are just as likely to pick it up in a supermarket or baby group at home. And the likelihood of either is minuscule.