County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust issued an advisory on 9 February 2026 urging residents in County Durham to check their measles vaccination records before travelling abroad this spring, ahead of the February half-term travel window. Health officials said the reminder aims to reduce the risk of bringing infections back into the local community.
Residents can verify whether they have had both doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine by checking their personal child health record (the ‘Red Book’) or by contacting their GP surgery to book a catch-up appointment. The Trust said it is particularly focused on reaching children and adults who may have missed doses in recent years.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency show measles cases in England rose sharply in recent years: there were 2,911 laboratory-confirmed cases in 2024 and around 957 confirmed cases reported in 2025. Health officials say that by being protected before travel, travellers can help prevent measles from being imported and spreading in local schools and healthcare settings.
According to travel guidance from TravelHealthPro, anyone planning a trip abroad should check they are up to date with their vaccinations before travel. Catch-up MMR vaccinations are available free on the NHS for people of any age who are not fully protected.
