'Everyone to be vaccinated' after measles death

The leader of Liverpool City Council has vowed to ensure "we get everyone fully vaccinated" against measles following the death of a child who had contracted the highly contagious disease.

Liam Robinson said the local authority extended its "deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences" to the family of the unidentified child, who died on Sunday at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Health bosses said measles was on the rise among young people in the area, with a surge in "seriously unwell" children being admitted to hospital.

Robinson said the Labour-run council would do its utmost to improve the uptake of vaccines in the city.

The Alder Hey case was the second death due to an acute measles infection in Great Britain this decade, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

No official details have been released either about the latest child's vaccination status or whether they were also being treated for other conditions.

The Sunday Times reported the child was ill with measles and other health issues.

Since June, Alder Hey said it had treated 17 children with measles.

In Liverpool, the take-up rate for having both doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine stands at about 74%, significantly lower than the 83% rate for England as a whole.

To achieve herd immunity, the World Health Organization wants 95% of the population to be double-jabbed.

Earlier this week, Liverpool's director of public health said he was very concerned about the spread of measles.

In some areas of the city, Prof Matt Ashton said he believed vaccination rates were even lower, increasing fears of a major measles outbreak.

His counterpart in Wirral, Dave Bradburn, confirmed on Tuesday that his borough had recorded a case of measles involving a young child.

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