Measles Cases Rise in England Nurseries: Covid-style Protocols Implemented

Parents and experts are concerned about the increasing number of measles cases, leading nurseries to implement Covid-style isolation protocols to control outbreaks. In 2025, England has seen over 500 confirmed cases, mostly in young children. Tragically, a child died from measles at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool. With low vaccine uptake in some areas, nurseries are reintroducing infection control measures from the pandemic to protect children and reassure parents.

Adam Rowles, whose daughter attends a nursery in south-east London with recent measles cases, expressed alarm. Despite his daughter being vaccinated, his son is due to start nursery before receiving his first measles jab. The nursery has enforced strict protocols like separating babies to prevent infection spread and increased cleaning.

Melanie Pilcher from the Early Years Alliance mentioned that nurseries are prepared to handle outbreaks post-Covid by implementing similar infection control procedures. Many nurseries are considering whether to deny entry to unvaccinated children, but respect parental choices.

Experts attribute the decline in measles vaccine uptake to online misinformation, missed appointments during the pandemic, and limited access to healthcare. Poverty-related issues, such as inability to take time off work for vaccination appointments, contribute to under-immunization.

Dr. Chris Bird, a paediatric emergency medicine consultant, highlighted the infectious nature of measles and the challenges in early detection. He emphasized the importance of vaccination and the increased difficulty in spotting measles due to non-specific symptoms.

Dr. Qasim Malik, a paediatric registrar, emphasized the need for targeted approaches to boost vaccine uptake in marginalized communities. He stressed the importance of inclusive language and understanding community concerns to address vaccination hesitancy.