Enfield Unvaccinated Kids Risk School Exclusion in Measles Surge 2026

Key Points

• Enfield Council in north London sent a letter to parents at the end of January 2026, warning that unvaccinated children identified as close contacts of measles cases could be excluded from school for 21 days, in line with national guidelines.
• The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed 34 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in Enfield from 1 January to 9 February 2026, with over 60 suspected cases reported across at least seven schools and one nursery in Enfield and neighbouring Haringey.
• One in five affected children required hospitalisation during this outbreak, and all hospitalised cases were in unvaccinated children.
• Enfield’s MMR vaccination rate for five-year-olds in 2024/25 was just 64.3%, one of the lowest in the UK and far below the 95% needed for herd immunity; national uptake was 84.4%.
• UK recorded 2,911 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in 2024, leading to loss of WHO measles elimination status; 959 cases in 2025.
• Health leaders expressed concern: Dr Jo Sauvage noted they’ve “not seen an increase in number of this degree before”; local GPs highlighted vaccination issues.
• Enfield Council is working with UKHSA, NHS, and partners; urging parents to book MMR catch-up vaccines.
• Measles is highly infectious (five to six times more than Covid-19), can cause severe complications like pneumonia, brain inflammation, and death; preventable by two MMR doses.

Enfield, North LondonEnfield Council warns of school exclusions for unvaccinated children amid measles outbreak (North London News) February 17, 2026 – Parents in Enfield have been alerted that their unvaccinated children risk 21-day school exclusions if exposed to measles cases, as a significant outbreak grips the borough.​

The council’s letter, sent at the end of January, follows national public health guidelines to curb spread. Local cases have surged, with infections confirmed in multiple schools.

What has Enfield Council communicated to parents?

Enfield Council issued a letter to all families, as reported by BBC News, stating that

“your child identified as a close contact of a person with measles and are unvaccinated, may be excluded from school for 21 days.”

Dudu Sher-Arami, Director of Public Health for Enfield Council, signed the communication and urged isolation from vulnerable groups like infants under one, immunocompromised individuals, and unvaccinated pregnant women.

The council emphasised checking vaccination status and booking free catch-up clinics, noting measles is “5 times more infectious than COVID” with one in five cases needing hospital admission.​

How severe is the current measles outbreak in Enfield?

The UKHSA reported 34 laboratory-confirmed cases in Enfield from January 1 to February 9, 2026.​

A GP practice noted over 60 suspected cases across seven Enfield schools, one nursery, and into Haringey, describing infections as “confirmed across at least seven schools… and it is spreading.”

During the outbreak, one in five children were hospitalised due to measles, all unvaccinated, as per UKHSA data.

Why are health officials particularly worried about Enfield?

Dr Jo Sauvage, Chief Medical Officer for North Central London Integrated Care Board, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:

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

She added on another platform:

“We have more than 60 suspected measles cases linked to this outbreak in Enfield, mostly affecting children in schools and nurseries. Some have required hospital treatment — particularly those who were not fully immunised.”​

Dr Sauvage highlighted a “system-wide response” with Enfield Council, UKHSA, schools, primary care, and NHS Trusts.​

What do experts say about the risks and hospitalisations?

Dr Vanessa Saliba, UKHSA consultant epidemiologist, stated as quoted by Healthcare Management UK:

“Measles is a nasty illness for any child, but for some it can lead to long term complications and tragically death but is so easily preventable with two doses of the MMR vaccine.”​

In The Independent, Dr Saliba warned:

“Our latest data shows we are now witnessing a significant measles outbreak in north-east London… with some requiring hospitalization. Measles is a serious illness… preventable with two doses of the MMR vaccine.”​

Professor Azeem Majeed of Imperial College London told The Independent:

“One indicator of the outbreak’s severity is the clinical seriousness… Generally, the most severe measles cases occur in unvaccinated children… High vaccination rates… establish ‘herd immunity’.”​

What are the vaccination rates in Enfield and nationally?

UKHSA figures for 2024/25 show only 64.3% of Enfield five-year-olds received both MMR doses, per Evening Standard reporting.​

This is below national uptake of 84.4% for five-year-olds, down from 88.8% a decade ago, and far under WHO’s 95% herd immunity threshold.

Dr Ellie Cannon, a North London GP, told BBC Breakfast:

“We’ve definitely got an issue with children being vaccinated, it certainly needs to improve… with this outbreak.”

She noted it was her first measles case in 20 years of practice.​

Has the UK faced measles surges before, and what is the national context?

In 2024, England had 2,911 lab-confirmed cases, the highest in two decades, per UKHSA epidemiology report.

2025 saw 959 cases, with peaks in spring (e.g., 131 in May).​

The WHO revoked UK’s measles elimination status in January 2026 after 3,681 cases in 2024 and 20 deaths from 2019-2025, as reported by The Guardian; previously eliminated 2021-2023.​

Outbreaks hit London, Birmingham, North West; Enfield’s low coverage mirrors pockets like Kensington (51.3%).​

Which schools and areas are affected by the outbreak?

Infections confirmed in at least seven schools in Enfield and Haringey, plus a nursery, per a GP notice cited in The Independent.

Oasis Academy Hadley issued a related letter on measles, though dated earlier.​

The outbreak mainly affects under-10s in north-east London schools and nurseries.​

What measures are authorities taking to control the spread?

Enfield Council is

“working closely with the UK Health Security Agency, the NHS and local partners to respond,”

per their statement in The Independent.

Lev Cimog, cabinet member for health and social care, said:

“The current outbreak has primarily impacted children, with some requiring additional care and a brief hospital stay. Measles… is approximately six times more infectious than Covid-19.”​

Free MMR catch-up clinics available; book via 020 8702 6187 or local GP. Parents urged to check status and isolate if symptomatic.

What is the broader government response to falling vaccination rates?

A national drive targets under-fives for measles and other jabs amid declining uptake.​

Experts like Dr Williams in The Guardian called the WHO status loss “disheartening… a critical reminder” to hit 95% coverage, blaming hesitancy and access issues.​

NHS reforms proposed, including pharmacy jabs, as The Guardian reported experts warning “NHS ‘clearly failing'” with Enfield’s 64.3% rate comparable to low-income nations.​

Dudu Sher-Arami told The Sunday Times (first to report), there’s risk of wider London spread.