Do your bit to help stop the rise of measles

MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS UP TO DATE WITH VACCINATIONS

PARENTS across the East Midlands are being asked to make sure that their children are fully up to date with their vaccinations after new data showed a rise in measles.

Between January 1 and April 20 there have been 49 recorded cases of measles in the UK, compared with 54 cases in the whole of 2022 according to data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on Thursday.

Most of the cases have been in London, although there have been cases picked up across the country and some are linked to travel abroad.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can lead to serious problems such as pneumonia, meningitis and, on rare occasions, long-term disability or even death.

Symptoms include a high fever, sore red watery eyes and a blotchy red-brown rash.

It is particularly easy to catch in environments when in close contact with others.

In recent years the number of children vaccinated against measles has fallen.

Uptake for the first dose of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine in two-year-olds in England is 89 per cent, and uptake of two MMR doses at the age of five is 85 per cent - well below the target of 95 per cent set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which is necessary to achieve elimination.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, uptake for routine childhood immunisations fell globally, leaving many children unprotected.

Measles is now circulating in many countries around the world and the WHO has warned that Europe is likely to see a resurgence unless countries catch up with the children who missed out.

Children are offered the first dose of the MMR vaccine when they turn one and the second at three years and four months.

The UKHSA is urging parents of young children, teenagers and adults to check that they are up to date with their MMR vaccines, particularly before they travel this summer and before attending summer festivals where measles can spread more easily.

Dr Vanessa MacGregor, consultant in communicable disease control at UKHSA East Midlands, said: “Measles spreads very easily and can lead to complications that require a stay in hospital and on rare occasions can cause lifelong disability or even death, and that’s why we are reminding parents and guardians to check their children’s vaccination record.

“Vaccines are our best line of defence against diseases. It’s never too late to catch up, and you can get the MMR vaccine on the NHS whatever your age.”