Brent Council Measles Jab Drive as Cases Rise 2026

Key Points

• Brent Council in North London has launched a vaccination drive to encourage and provide measles vaccinations amid rising cases in the area.​
• UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures show 88 measles cases recorded in London since the start of 2026, with the majority in children under 10 years old.​
• New data released by UKHSA on Thursday, February 19, 2026, indicates 16 new cases in Enfield over the past week and 10 new cases in neighbouring Haringey.​
• Overall, UKHSA reports 130 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in England from January 1 to February 16, 2026, with 50 cases in Enfield, 10 in Haringey, and 23 in Birmingham.
• The outbreak has spread to at least seven schools in Enfield and Haringey, with one in five infected children hospitalised, all unvaccinated.
• Brent Council has not disclosed specific case numbers in its borough or plans for excluding unvaccinated pupils, unlike warnings issued to parents in Enfield.​
• Nearby Harrow Council reports no measles outbreak.​
• Haringey Council is collaborating with UKHSA, NHS, Enfield Council, healthcare services, schools, and community groups to curb the spread.​
• Lucia das Neves, health representative at Haringey Council, stated: “Since vaccination is the most effective means of protecting your family and the entire community, we have been will continue urge everyone is not vaccinated to take action now. We will persist in mobilizing all available resources and collaborating with healthcare services, schools, and community groups to support our residents.”​
• Vaccination rates have fallen in London, exacerbated by the pandemic, increasing outbreak risks.​
• Dr. Jo Sauvage, chief medical officer for the North Central London Integrated Care Board, noted on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that outbreaks occur “in pockets across the country,” but “Certainly in area we not seen increase in number of this degree before.”​
• Enfield Council is working closely with public health teams and the NHS to limit further spread.​
• UKHSA modelling predicts a significant London outbreak could lead to 40,000 to 160,000 infections.​
• A child died from measles in Liverpool last July following a minor outbreak there.​

Brent (North London News) February 20, 2026 – Brent Council has launched a measles vaccination drive as cases continue to rise across North London boroughs, with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data confirming 88 infections in the capital since January 1.

The initiative aims to work with local communities to encourage and provide vaccinations amid heightened concerns over the highly contagious disease, which has predominantly affected children under 10. While Brent has not reported specific case figures or exclusion policies for unvaccinated pupils, nearby Enfield has seen a sharp increase, prompting school-related measures.

What Triggered the Measles Surge in North London?

The recent escalation traces back to a fast-spreading outbreak first noted in Enfield, where UKHSA recorded 50 laboratory-confirmed cases from January 1 to February 16, 2026. As reported by BBC News, this marks 16 new cases in Enfield over the past week alone, with the disease now spreading to Haringey, registering 10 new cases.

UKHSA figures, released on February 19, bring London’s total to 88 cases since the year’s start, though counts exclude local authorities with fewer than 10 cases. Nationally, England has seen 130 confirmed cases in the same period, up 34 from the prior report, driven largely by the North London cluster.

Which Boroughs Are Worst Hit by Measles Cases?

Enfield leads with 50 cases, including 36 in the latter part of the period, fuelling the outbreak’s momentum. Haringey follows with 10 confirmed infections, as detailed in UKHSA’s Table 2a.

The outbreak has infiltrated at least seven schools across Enfield and Haringey, according to a local GP practice cited by Ordnance Unity Centre For Health. Rejoy Health reports that these 34 early cases in Enfield alone represented over a third of England’s 96 measles infections in January.

Brent Council has remained silent on local cases, while Harrow confirms “no reported outbreak”. Birmingham reports 23 cases outside London.

How Is Brent Council Responding to the Crisis?

Brent Council stated it is “working with communities to encourage and provide vaccinations” as North London cases climb, per MyLondon.news coverage. The authority has not addressed potential exclusions for unvaccinated pupils, unlike Enfield where parents received warnings.

This proactive stance aligns with falling vaccination rates in London, worsened by the pandemic, as noted on Christ Church CE Primary School’s site regarding North West London risks. NHS Brent has pushed for quarterly publication of GP immunisation results to boost uptake.

What Measures Are in Place in Enfield and Haringey?

Enfield Council is collaborating with public health teams and the NHS to contain spread, following national guidelines, as per Rejoy Health. Unvaccinated close contacts face potential three-week school exclusions, according to BBC reporting.

In Haringey, Lucia das Neves of Haringey Council emphasised joint efforts:

“We are collaborating closely with local and national organisations, including UKHSA, NHS and Enfield Council to protect residents and bring the measles outbreak in Haringey under control.”

She added urgency:

“We will persist in mobilizing all available resources”.​

Dr. Jo Sauvage of the North Central London Integrated Care Board described the scale as unprecedented locally on BBC Radio 4:

“Certainly in area we not seen increase in number of this degree before.”​

Why Are Vaccination Rates Dropping in London?

London-wide vaccination uptake has declined, masking pockets of extremely low coverage ideal for measles transmission, warns The Guardian. ABPI highlighted childhood vaccination’s role amid the outbreak.

UKHSA urges immediate action, especially before Easter travels, projecting 40,000 to 160,000 infections in a major London outbreak. One in five affected children required hospitalisation, all unimmunised, underscoring risks like meningitis and pneumonia.

What Are the Health Risks and Complications?

Measles poses severe threats, particularly to young children, with hospitalisations common in this outbreak. A tragic reminder came last July when a Liverpool child died post-outbreak.

UKHSA data confirms most London cases involve under-10s, amplifying community vulnerability.

How Can Parents Protect Their Children Now?

Councils and health bodies implore unvaccinated families to act swiftly via MMR jabs. Brent’s drive facilitates access, while Haringey mobilises schools and groups.

Enfield’s GP reports stress full immunisation prevents severe outcomes. UKHSA and NHS partnerships aim to reverse trends before further spread.

What Is the National Context of Measles Outbreaks?

England’s 130 cases reflect rising activity since January, per UKHSA epidemiology. Pockets like North London mirror patterns since late 2023, but this surge stands out.

Birmingham’s 23 cases indicate broader concern, though London dominates. Government campaigns target uptake nationally.