Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice
Not vaccinating enough children against measles could cost England more than £290m and result in hundreds of deaths, researchers warn.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to affect humans, but following a dramatic fall in vaccination rates, the UK is no longer considered to have "eliminated" the disease in the eyes of global health officials.
About 3 per cent of parents in the UK are reported to have refused to vaccinate their children. Scientists used this figure to simulate what could happen if these vaccination rates continue, and over the course of 20 years, they predicted two major measles outbreaks causing 392,805 additional cases and 480 deaths
Continue Reading on The Independent
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.