Music festival goers told to get MMR jab

FESTIVAL goers should get a measles jab following a recent rise in the number of people being infected, Public Health England (PHE) has warned.

Young people at music festivals “pose an ideal opportunity for the infection to spread quickly”, PHE said.

Issuing a specific warning, people planning to travel to the BBC’S The Biggest Weekend two-day bash at Coventry tomorrow and Monday were urged to check they have had the MMR jab.

In a tweet, the PHE West Midlands branch said: “Measles is spreading around the West Midlands and festivals are a hot-spot for them to spread. If you are going to the BBC Biggest Weekend… make sure you have had your MMR vaccines.”

In the first three months of 2018, the region had 71 recorded cases – more than three times the number as the same period last year.

A PHE spokesman said: “Anyone who has not received two doses of MMR vaccine is at risk, but young people in environments with close mixing such as festivals are more at risk.”

The bank holiday weekend event features headliner Liam Gallagher, as well as Paloma Faith and many more.