Measles kills child amid declining vaccine rates
The child, who has not been identified, was ill with measles and other health problems and receiving treatment at the Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
They are believed to be the second child to die from an acute measles infection in Britain this decade.
The hospital has warned that infections are rising, with doctors treating 17 patients with the virus since June.
It comes after a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) report released earlier this month determined that uptake of vaccines in the UK had stalled over the last decade and was, in many cases, declining.
None of the routine childhood vaccinations have met the target for 95 per cent coverage since 2021, meaning young people are at risk of catching illnesses such as measles, meningitis and whooping cough.
The report said while some families were hesitant to vaccinate due to fears about the jabs, many face issues that could be resolved with more support, including difficulties booking and attending appointments and a lack of continuity of NHS care, with many parents seeing a different GP or clinician at each visit.
An Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust spokesman warned that it was concerned about the 'increasing number of children contracting measles'.
They added: 'To respect patient confidentiality, we can't comment on individual cases.
'Measles is a highly contagious viral illness which can cause children to be seriously unwell, requiring hospital treatment, and in rare cases, death.
'The number of children being treated at Alder Hey for effects and complications of measles is increasing. We have treated 17 since June.
'We treat children with a range of conditions and illnesses in our hospital, including those with compromised immunity due to other health issues, making them more susceptible to infections, including measles.
'We can prevent people, including children, from contracting measles through vaccination. Please protect yourself and vulnerable children and young people by ensuring you are fully vaccinated.'
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