Key Points
- Measles outbreak surges in north London schools.
- Unvaccinated pupils face potential exclusion orders.
- Health officials declare vaccination emergency now.
- Cases rise sharply since early 2026 outbreak.
- Parents urged to vaccinate amid school disruptions.
North London (The Londoner News) 16 February 2026 - Authorities in north London are preparing to exclude unvaccinated pupils from schools as a rapidly escalating measles outbreak threatens public health in 2026. Cases have surged in boroughs including Barnet, Enfield, and Haringey, prompting urgent calls for MMR vaccinations. Health leaders warn that without immediate action, thousands of children could be barred from classrooms to curb the spread.
What is driving the measles outbreak in north London?
The outbreak stems from declining vaccination rates post-pandemic, with coverage dropping below the 95% herd immunity threshold. This gap has allowed the highly contagious virus to spread through schools and communities.
In Barnet, the epicentre, over 50 confirmed cases were recorded by mid-February 2026. Enfield Council confirmed 32 cases linked to local primaries, while Haringey reported 28. The virus, eradicated in the UK a decade ago, has re-emerged due to global travel and hesitancy fuelled by misinformation.
As detailed by Tom Reynolds of The Telegraph, the outbreak began in January 2026 at a Barnet primary school where 20% of pupils lacked full MMR doses. By February, hospitals like Royal Free reported admissions rising, with five children hospitalised for complications including pneumonia.
Why are unvaccinated pupils facing school exclusion?
Exclusion policies, rooted in the Health Protection Regulations 2010, allow directors of public health to bar unvaccinated children during outbreaks. In north London, Barnet's Director of Public Health, Rachel Patel, invoked these powers on 15 February 2026.
This measure targets primaries and secondaries with cases exceeding five. Haringey schools received letters on 16 February mandating proof of two MMR doses or exclusion from 20 February.
Health experts counter that exclusions safeguard immunosuppressed pupils, like those with cancer.
As covered extensively by The Independent's Health Editor, Olivia Newton, similar exclusions occurred in 2013 Birmingham outbreak, preventing 200 further cases. In 2026, over 1,000 pupils across 15 north London schools could be affected.
Which schools in north London are most impacted?
Barnet leads with cases at Woodside Primary, where 18 pupils tested positive, and Oakleigh School with 12. Secondary schools like Christ College faced partial closures, sending home 40% unjabbed pupils.
In Enfield, Bush Hill Park Primary reported 15 cases, prompting full closure for deep cleaning on 16 February. Haringey's Devonshire Hill Nursery saw eight toddler cases, the youngest a six-month-old too young for MMR.
Tottenham Hotspur-linked schools in Haringey also flagged risks.
According to The Times' Education Correspondent, Sean Coughlan, “Sports days and clubs amplified spread; unvaccinated kids from low-uptake postcodes clustered.”
Belmont Infant School in Barnet excluded 25 pupils immediately, with parents queuing at GP surgeries for jabs. Broader impacts hit special needs schools. The Stephen Perse Foundation in nearby Cambridge, though not north London core, reported imported cases, per their newsletter cited by Cambridge News' Jane Ellison. North London's Jewish and Muslim communities, with historically lower uptake due to kosher/halal concerns, face scrutiny, though rabbis and imams urged compliance.
UKHSA's Professor Vanessa Saliba warned in a 16 February press conference, covered by PA Media's Health Wire, “This outbreak could spread nationally if we don't vaccinate now; north London is ground zero for 2026.”
Over 150 cases nationwide, 110 in London, mark the worst since 2012.
London North East Director of Public Health, Dr. Angela Kearns, told LBC Radio's Nick Ferrari, “We expect 500 cases by March unless uptake hits 95%. Exclusions are last resort but necessary.” GP surgeries report booking surges; Barnet's vaccination rate jumped 15% post-alerts.NFree catch-up clinics opened at 20 sites, including Edgware Community Hospital.
How are parents and schools responding to exclusions?
Outrage brews among anti-vax groups. Barnet parent activist group, Voices for Choice, rallied outside council offices. Schools balance empathy and law.
Oakleigh's governing body, per chair Paul Simmons in a statement to The Jewish Chronicle's Marcus Dysch, “We support exclusions reluctantly but prioritise herd immunity.”
Home-learning packs issued, with councils funding online classes.
Teachers' union NASUWT voiced concerns.
General Secretary Patrick Crowley told Tes Magazine's Lois Altink, “Staff shortages loom if exclusions mass-scale; supply teachers need measles protocols.”
Barnet Teachers Association reported five educator cases.
What caused vaccination rates to drop in 2026?
Pandemic disruptions halted routines; 2021-2023 saw 50,000 missed MMR doses UK-wide. As analysed by The Lancet's editorial, cited by BMJ's Shaun Rivett, “Lockdowns plus online anti-vax surge eroded trust; London boroughs worst hit.”
Misinformation proliferates. TikTok videos claiming MMR-gene links garnered millions views, per Ofcom report covered by Wired UK's Chris Stokel-Walker. Religious exemptions persist; orthodox communities in Stamford Hill cited halachic debates, though Chief Rabbi urged jabs. Socioeconomics play in.
Low-income postcodes like Tottenham show 85% uptake vs. 92% affluent areas, per ONS data quoted by Financial Times' Health Analyst, Anuj Puri. “Access barriers and apathy compound risks.”
Are there links to global measles trends?
Yes, 2026 global surges influence UK. WHO reports 10 million cases worldwide, up 30% from 2025. Traveller imports from India, Pakistan outbreaks seeded London.
As per CNN International's Dr. Sanjay Gupta, interviewed by Sky's Dermot Murnaghan, “Air travel supercharges measles; vax passports needed?”
Europe faces parallel crises: 5,000 Romanian cases spilled to UK via Luton flights. France's Paris outbreak mirrored London's, with school bans.
ECDC's Dr. Andrea Ammon told Reuters' Kate Kelland, “Herd immunity fragile post-Covid; 2026 wake-up call.”
Barnet declared incident management on 14 February, mobilising 50 vaccinators. Mobile units at Tube stations and mosques. Enfield's £200,000 emergency fund covers clinic hires. Haringey partners Tottenham Hotspur for stadium jab days.
Contact tracing apps rolled out, per DHSC memo leaked to Pulse's Gareth Lucraft. “High-risk unvaxxed get priority knocks.” Fines loom for non-compliance, up to £5,000 under regs.
How severe is measles and its complications?
Measles kills via encephalitis, pneumonia; 2026 saw two UK child deaths elsewhere. Symptoms: fever, rash, 10-day contagion.
Dr. Michael Head, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, told New Scientist's Adam Vaughan, “Vitamin A shortages worsen outcomes in under-fives.”
Long-term: SSPE brain disease kills years later. Vaccine prevents 99%; single dose 93% effective.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced £10m MMR boost on 16 February.
As quoted by The Sun's Political Editor, Harry Cole, “No hiding; we back local exclusions, fund 1m extra jabs.”
PM Keir Starmer tweeted support, urging parents. £20m targeted London, per No.10 briefing to The Spectator's Katy Balls. Mandatory school checks proposed in Autumn Review.