It is frightening to think about what could happen if we are faced with a major outbreak. James Cleverly, Chair, Health and Public Services

Londoners are at risk of a measles epidemic which could affect more than 10,000 people, London Assembly members were warned on Monday.

Representatives of NHS London told the Assembly’s Health and Public Services Committee that a large epidemic in South East London earlier this year had already infected 500 people, but a failure to immunise children has meant that the capital “could be looking at an outbreak in five figures.”

While immunisation rates have increased slightly, only around 70 per cent of the capital’s children are fully immunised against measles, mumps and rubella by the age of two. This compares to a national average of about 84 per cent, and is well below the level required to prevent a severe outbreak.

There is significant variation in the immunisation rates across London boroughs. For example, 55.8 percent of children in Newham and 58.2 percent in Lewisham have been immunised, while the best boroughs achieve up to 89 percent. NHS London said the Health Protection Agency and Primary Care Trusts are working very hard to meet an EU agreement to eradicate measles by 2010.

James Cleverly AM, Chair of the Health and Public Services Committee, said: “It is frightening to think about what could happen if we are faced with a major outbreak. Measles is a very serious disease, with one in four infected people ending up in hospital. Yet, it is an entirely preventable disease, so everything possible must be done to increase immunisation across London.”

Members of the Committee also questioned representatives of NHS London about its finances, hygiene and customer satisfaction at the capital’s hospitals, and the responses to the consultation on the Healthcare for London Framework.

NHS London said the responses to the consultation gave them the confidence to proceed with the proposed changes and the Committee urged NHS London to continue consulting with Londoners regarding their health service, so that any changes are made with, not to the people.