Changes

Due to a decrease in vaccination, measles has become [endemic] in Britain. This means that measles does not need to be brought in by travelers, but instead has a large enough base of unvaccinated individuals for it to continuously spread inside the country. In London, only 71 percent of children receive the first dose of the vaccine and only 51 percent the second dose. Due to this decline, there were 461 cases in Britain in the first half of 2008. These cases have had tragic consequences, with the death of a 17 year old reported in 2008.<ref>[http://www.healthdirect.co.uk/2008/07/measles-endemic-in-britain-official.html Health Direct NHS watch blog]</ref> This immunization failure may be in part due to Britain's nationalized health care system, which focuses more on cutting costs than saving lives.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4003733.ece New antibiotics might help to fight hospital infections; but that would cost us money]</ref>