HEALTH MATTERS

●● DR Paul Bowen is a GP with McIlvride Medical Practice, Poynton, and executive chair of NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

THEY say prevention is better than cure, and there is no better example than immunisation and vaccination.

It seems incredible that our immune systems have the ability to protect themselves from such life-threatening diseases as cervical cancer, meningitis and measles with a simple injection.

I have only ever seen meningitis once. I was a junior doctor working in a busy hospital in Lincolnshire. As a clinician you can quickly tell a sick child from a well one. That pale, listless poorly young boy will be an image I will never forget. He survived, but the meningitis he contracted left him with permanent disabilities and epilepsy.

Despite this, so many people decide they, or their children, should not be immunised.

Immunisations stimulate the immune system to develop a defence to a bug. That invariably means that, following an injection, there may be a slight fever.

Serious reactions are very rare. Links with the MMR and autism have been categorically dismissed.

It is this overwhelming evidence about the value and safety of vaccinations, coupled with the mental image of that young chap with meningitis, which means I will never deny my own children the chance to be vaccinated against such serious illnesses.

I encourage all my patients to follow the national immunisation programme, and applaud the work of nurses, health visitors and other care professionals who advise, support and immunise thousands every year.

European Immunisation Week – April 24 to April 30 – and I would urge anyone overdue an immunisation to consider contacting their practice nurse for advice and arrange that life-saving jab.