Measles!

Measles spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated.

Measles can be a very unpleasant illness. In some children it can be very serious and lead to hospitalisation – and in rare cases tragically can cause death.

People in certain risk groups including babies and young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity, are at increased risk of complications from measles. Symptoms include a runny nose, cough, high fever, sore red watery eyes and a blotchy red-brown rash.

Having two doses of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine at the right time (dose 1 from 12 months and dose 2 from 3 years 4 months) is the best way to protect your child and help prevent it spreading, especially to those most vulnerable.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine give you excellent lifelong protection.

There has been a recent, increase in measles cases in England.

Most of the cases have been in children under the age of 10 years with many outbreaks linked to nurseries and schools.

Uptake of the routine the MMR vaccine is the lowest it has been in a decade. This is giving this serious disease a chance to get a foothold in our communities. Achieving high vaccination coverage across the population is important as it also indirectly helps protect very young infants (under one) and other vulnerable groups.

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 (PCHR), known as the red book, or contact your GP practice.

People may also be able to check their vaccination status on the NHS App.

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.