Child's death from measles revives vaccine misinformation in UK

The death of a child from measles has renewed calls from British health officials to vaccinate young children, at a time when the UK is facing a wave of misinformation about vaccines, largely originating in the United States.

A highly contagious disease, measles can lead to serious complications. It is preventable, however, thanks to the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, which is administered during early childhood.

False information shared by influencers

British Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed on July 14 that a child had died of measles at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool, northwest of the country.

Authorities have not released any details about the circumstances of the death. However, according to The Sunday Times , the child was suffering from a severe form of the disease, along with other serious health problems .

Shortly after the announcement, several figures in the anti-vaccine movement shared unverified claims about the child's death on social media.

Among them is Ellie Grey, a British influencer who presents herself as a health expert and has a following of more than 200,000 people on Instagram. "Measles is not this deadly disease. (...) It's not dangerous," she said in a video. She accuses Alder Hey Hospital of "manipulating parents" and "pushing" them to opt for vaccination.

Her video was shared by Kate Shemirani, another British influencer and former nurse who was disbarred from the profession. "There is no evidence that vaccines are safe and effective," she falsely claimed.

Local authorities are sounding the alarm. Liverpool's Director of Public Health, Matthew Ashton, has strongly criticized those "spreading misinformation."

In a video address to Liverpool residents, he reminded the public that "measles is a very dangerous virus" and that vaccination remains the best way to "protect yourself and your loved ones." Alder Hey Hospital reported treating 17 children with measles since June .

The famous legend of the vaccine triggering autism

In a video released online, pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Andrew McArdle debunks several "myths" surrounding measles, including the theory that the vaccine causes autism.

This unfounded claim stems from a 1998 study by British physician Andrew Wakefield, which has since been widely discredited . He was struck off the medical register. But this study caused a significant drop in vaccination rates internationally.

For Benjamin Kasstan-Dabush, a health anthropologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Andrew Wakefield's influence is still felt today.

Speaking to parents in Manchester and other parts of England, he found that delays in vaccinating children were due to several factors, including difficulty in getting appointments and misinformation .

"We are dealing today with another generation of parents, who are exposed to Wakefield's legacy through social media, and of course through the figure of Kennedy," he explained to AFP.

The harmful influence of the United States

US President Donald Trump has appointed Robert Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary, despite his support for anti-vaccine conspiracy theories .

In the United States, "disinformation is produced at the highest levels of the Trump administration," accuses Benjamin Kasstan-Dabush. "It then circulates across the internet."

In response to the wave of misinformation, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has stepped up its communication about vaccines on social media in recent weeks, a spokesperson said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), measles vaccination rates need to reach 95% to ensure herd immunity .

In Liverpool, the coverage rate for both doses is around 74%, according to Matthew Ashton, while the national average stands at 84%.

The WHO has warned that misinformation poses a threat after decades of progress in public health. Europe recorded its highest number of measles cases in more than 25 years last year.

The United States is experiencing its worst outbreak in more than 30 years. Canada, which officially eradicated measles in 1998, has already recorded more than 3,500 cases this year.