Measles Outbreak in North London: Schools Prepare for Potential Exclusions

A measles outbreak is currently affecting North London, prompting Enfield Council to consider excluding unvaccinated pupils from school for up to 21 days if they are identified as close contacts of infected individuals. This measure, aligned with national guidelines, aims to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease amid rising cases and declining vaccination rates.

Rising Cases and Declining Immunity

As of early February 2026, at least 34 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles have been reported in Enfield this year, representing over a third of the 96 cases recorded across England in January. The virus has been confirmed in at least seven schools in Enfield and neighboring Haringey . Health officials are concerned by the increase, noting it surpasses typical outbreak levels seen in recent years .

Approximately 60 suspected cases have been confirmed in the area, with the majority occurring in primary schools and nurseries. A significant proportion of those infected require hospital treatment, particularly those who have not been immunized . Local GPs report that one in five children hospitalized with measles have not been fully vaccinated .

Council Response and Exclusion Policy

In late January, Enfield Council sent a letter to all parents outlining the potential for unvaccinated children to be excluded from school for 21 days if they are identified as close contacts of a measles case . This measure is in accordance with national guidelines for managing measles outbreaks. The council is also writing to every parent in the borough to urge them to ensure their children are up-to-date with their vaccinations .

Underlying Factors: Vaccine Hesitancy and Health Inequalities

The outbreak is occurring against a backdrop of long-standing challenges with low vaccine uptake in Enfield. Factors contributing to this include vaccine hesitancy, the spread of misinformation online, and health inequalities . Areas like Edmonton, a focal point of the current outbreak, experience high levels of deprivation, making vaccination a lower priority for families facing economic hardship and housing insecurity .

All children in Enfield who have contracted measles are currently unvaccinated .

National Context and Vaccination Rates

The outbreak in North London reflects a broader public health concern in the UK. In 2024, England recorded over 2,900 cases of measles, the highest number in over a decade. While cases decreased in 2025, they remained high at nearly 1,000. In January 2026, the World Health Organization declared the UK had lost its “measles-free” status due to successive outbreaks and insufficient vaccination rates.

Current vaccination rates for the two-dose MMR vaccine among 5-year-olds in the UK stand at 84.4%, falling short of the 95% threshold recommended by the World Health Organization.

Protecting Against Measles

Health officials emphasize that measles is a serious illness that can lead to long-term complications and, in rare cases, death. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide a high level of protection. Families planning international travel, particularly to countries where measles remains endemic, are urged to check their children’s vaccination records.

The British government has launched a vaccination campaign targeting children under 5 to increase uptake and protect vulnerable populations.