NHS Lincolnshire Urges Parents to Catch Up on Measles Jabs This Summer

What happened, why it matters, and what to know

NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) says just 86.7% of five-year-olds in Lincolnshire have had both doses of the MMR vaccine, below the World Health Organization's recommended 95% threshold for reliable herd immunity. Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust's (LCHS) Vaccination & Rapid Response Team (VRRT) is running community-based clinics through the school summer holidays as an alternative to a GP appointment, for children aged 12 months to 11 years who have missed one or both doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine. England has recorded more than 800 measles cases in the first half of 2026 alone, compared with 959 for the whole of 2025, with two deaths linked to measles reported this year. Dr Dave Briggs, Executive Director of Outcomes (Medical) at NHS Lincolnshire ICB, said: "Measles is highly infectious and can lead to serious complications, particularly for babies, young children and people with weakened immune systems." The 95% coverage figure is the World Health Organization's established threshold, not a Qurexa estimate. The case and death figures are national (England) statistics as reported by NHS Lincolnshire ICB alongside its local coverage data; no confirmed measles cases in Lincolnshire specifically were included in the source. What to know: children under 6 will be contacted directly by their GP practice; children aged 6-11 should watch for an invitation via the NHS App, text message, email or letter; community-based clinics are running through the school summer holidays via LCHS's Vaccination & Rapid Response Team; if you are unsure of your child's vaccination status, contact your GP practice. Source: NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, "Push to protect more children against measles", 10 July 2026, lincolnshire.icb.nhs.uk. This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professional. If you have concerns about a child's vaccination status, contact your GP practice.