Falling measles vaccination rates can have terrifying consequences for families | Letter

‘Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications.’ avid Gee 4/Alamy‘Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications.’ avid Gee 4/AlamyLettersFalling measles vaccination rates can have terrifying consequences for familiesKaren Ford’s granddaughter became seriously ill, highlighting just how important it is for communities to have herd immunityYour report on the response to the measles outbreak in north London highlights the profound consequences of falling immunisation uptake (‘A lot of vaccine hesitancy’: how north London council is responding to measles outbreak, 16 February). Behind the statistics are real and frightening experiences for families like ours. My granddaughter, not yet eligible for the vaccine, was admitted to hospital in late November with respiratory syncytial virus and bronchiolitis. Shortly after being discharged, she developed pneumonia, later followed by a rash: measles.