Medicine and Science from The BMJ Measles is surging in 2026. From London to Texas, why are cases hitting a 30-year high?
Feb 27, 2026
Azeem Majeed, a primary care and public health professor at Imperial College London, and Angela Rasmussen, a virologist and Vaccine journal editor. They map the 2026 measles surge across London, Canada, Texas and Mexico. They discuss how returning travelers drive spread, lost UK measles elimination status, access barriers to vaccination, politics and disinformation, and strategies to rebuild trust.
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UK Lost Measles Elimination Status
- The UK recently lost measles elimination status due to falling vaccine coverage and periodic cases, signaling higher outbreak risk.
- Azeem Majeed explained elimination depends on sustained high coverage and low incidence, which the UK no longer meets.
Primary Care Strain Undermines UK Vaccination
- Declining vaccine uptake in the UK links partly to primary care pressure: larger GP lists, fewer health visitors, and focus on long-term conditions.
- Azeem Majeed said restoring access and capacity in primary care is essential to resume proactive vaccination outreach.
Access Problems Differ Between Canada And The US
- Canada and the US both have access issues but differ structurally; Canada offers multiple access points provincially while US insurance gaps make vaccine coverage variable.
- Angela Rasmussen highlighted Alberta's political barriers and the US Vaccines for Children program covering ~50% of childhood vaccines.