UK Health Security Agency
UKHSA launches new strategy to tackle national and global health hazards - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The new strategy sets out UKHSA’s vision and goals for the next 3 years to prepare for and respond to health threats and build the capabilities and technologies to protect the country in the future.
Changes to the shingles vaccine programme
UKHSA and NHS England have published a bipartite letter laying out changes to the shingles vaccination programme.
From 1 September 2023, all newly eligible individuals will be offered 2 doses of the non-live shingles vaccine Shingrix® instead of Zostavax®.
In addition to this, the eligibility for the immunocompromised and immunocompetent cohorts will change to allow individuals to be protected at an earlier age. This is based on recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Full details of the changes can be found in the bipartite letter.
Measles
The latest number of laboratory confirmed measles cases in England have been published in an updated epidemiological overview by UKHSA.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA Consultant Epidemiologist, said:
We are continuing to see measles cases in all regions of England, with cases particularly high in the West Midlands and London, so it is vital that people are fully protected by two doses of the MMR vaccine. It only takes one case to get into a community with low vaccination rates for measles to spread rapidly, especially in schools and nurseries. We know that hundreds of thousands of children around the country, particularly in some inner-city areas are still not fully vaccinated and are at risk of serious illness or life-long complications but measles is completely preventable with vaccination.
Our childhood vaccinations campaign is reminding parents of the importance of ensuring their children are vaccinated. Parents should check their child’s Red Book now to ensure that children are up to date with their MMR and other routine vaccines. If you’re unsure, contact your GP practice. They will bring your child up to date if necessary. If the NHS is in touch about catching up on missed vaccines, please respond as soon as possible.
Since 1 October in England there have been 934 laboratory confirmed measles cases:
- 17 cases were reported in October 2023
- 40 in November 2023
- 153 in December 2023
- 269 in January 2024
- 231 in February 2024
- 224 (to date) in March 2024
54% (501 of 934) of these cases have been in the West Midlands, 21% (198 of 934) in London, and 8% (77 of 934) in the East Midlands. The remaining cases were reported in other regions of England.
As it can take up to 21 days for symptoms of measles to show (incubation period), an unvaccinated child could have measles without realising and spread the infection – so anyone who has not had at least one MMR and is in contact with a case of measles will need to be excluded from nursery/school/college/work etc for 21 days after contact with the infected person. Contacts of measles cases should also not be mixing outside their household for that same time period.
We are calling on all parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with their 2 MMR doses. It’s never too late to catch up, and people can get the MMR vaccine for free on the NHS whatever their age. There is further information on the UK Health Security Agency's website:
UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Travel-associated infections approaching pre-pandemic levels
Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Public Health at the UK Health Security Agency, said:
As travel has increased following the lifting of travel restrictions during the pandemic, so have serious mosquito borne infections. There are simple steps that people can take to reduce the risk of infections such as malaria, dengue and Zika. Prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent, covering exposed skin and sleeping under a treated bed net. Plan ahead and visit the TravelHealthPro website to look up your destination and the latest health information and advice. Even if you have visited or lived in a country before, you will not have the same protection against infections as local people and are still at risk.
Dr Dipti Patel, Director of the National Travel Health Network and Centre, said:
If you are making plans to travel abroad this year, please take a moment to prioritise your health and plan ahead. Check the relevant country information pages on our website, TravelHealthPro, and ideally speak to your GP or a travel health clinic 4-6 weeks ahead of travelling to ensure you have had all the necessary vaccinations and advice you need to ensure your trip is a happy and healthy one. When you return to the UK, if you feel unwell, seek medical attention and ensure you inform your healthcare provider that you have been travelling recently.
It is also important for travellers to:
- ensure your routine childhood vaccines are up to date
- stock up on necessary medications
- get valid travel insurance to cover your entire trip and planned activities