Measles Outbreaks England Ensure 2 Doses of MMR Public Health England Warn Parents
Measles Outbreak England:
- Measles Outbreak Across England
- Two Doses of MMR Vaccine Needed Public Health England Warns
- 42 laboratory confirmed measles cases in the South West
Parents are being urged to make sure their children have had their two doses of the MMR vaccine due to outbreaks of measles across England.
Between 01 January and 09 May 2018, there have been 440 laboratory confirmed measles cases in England. In the South West figures are currently at 42.
Public Health England, say the increase of measles is due to travel to and from Europe, which has large outbreaks of the viral illness.
In 1998, parents worried about giving their child the MMR due to the Andrew Wakefield controversy. Wakefield, who was struck off of the medical register as a result, fraudulently claimed there were links between the MMR and autism.
Because of this, young people and adults aged 15 years and over have been identified as being particularly vulnerable having missed out on having the vaccination due to the fears surrounding the scandal.
With festival season approaching, those who have not had the two doses will be vulnerable, as well as those travelling to Romania and Italy where there are large outbreaks.
Public Health England had to issue urgent advice to Bristol school Easton CE Academy, in April after a child was diagnosed with measles leading to a school wide exposure.
Whilst most people will recover from measles in around 7-10 days, the illness can lead to serious complications and in some cases be fatal.
Anyone planning to travel to Europe is advised to check NaTHNaC travel health advice and those not up-to-date with vaccinations or if they are not sure should check with their GP practice.
Head of Immunisation at PHE, Dr Mary Ramsay said: “The measles outbreaks we are currently seeing in England are linked to ongoing large outbreaks in Europe. The majority of cases we are seeing are in teenagers and young adults who missed out on their MMR vaccine when they were children.
Anyone who missed out on their MMR vaccine in the past or are unsure if they had 2 doses should contact their GP practice to catch-up.
This serves as an important reminder for parents to take up the offer of MMR vaccination for their children at 1 year of age and as a pre-school booster at 3 years and 4 months of age.
We’d also encourage people to ensure they are up to date with their MMR vaccine before travelling to countries with ongoing measles outbreaks.
The UK recently achieved WHO measles elimination status and so the overall risk of measles to the UK population is low, however, we will continue to see cases in unimmunised individuals and limited onward spread can occur in communities with low MMR coverage and in age groups with very close mixing.”
For more information about Measles, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/symptoms/
More from Chopsy Baby
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chopsybaby/
Follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/chopsy_baby
Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/chopsybristol
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chopsybaby/
Like our Sensory Space ideas on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sensoryspace
Go Home http://www.chopsybaby.com