Measles Cases On The Rise

Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among those who are unvaccinated. It is a particularly nasty disease for any child and
sadly for some children can be serious, leading to complications especially in young infants and those with a weakened immune system, and on rare occasions
can tragically cause death.

Measles is preventable with two doses of the MMR vaccine, but many thousands of children around the country are still not vaccinated and may be at risk.

In recent years, uptake of the routine childhood vaccinations, including the MMR
vaccine has fallen. Coverage in England is well below the 95% target set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is necessary to prevent outbreaks and
achieve and maintain measles elimination.

Vaccines are our best line of defence against diseases like measles and help stop
outbreaks occurring in the community.

We are calling on all parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with their 2 MMR doses.

To see if your child is up to date with their MMR vaccines, check your child’s personal child health record ‘red book’, or contact your GP practice. People may be able to check their vaccination status on the NHS App.

Getting vaccinated means you are also helping protect others who can’t have the vaccine, including infants under one year and people with weakened immune
systems, who are at greater risk of serious illness and complications from measles. They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them.

It is never too late to catch up. The MMR vaccine is free on the NHS, whatever your age.

If anyone has missed one or both doses of the MMR vaccine, contact your GP practice to book an appointment.