Adults Urged To Check Their Measles MMR Status Before Travelling This Summer
Public Health England is urging young people travelling abroad this summer, particularly to Europe, to check they have had both doses of the MMR vaccine.
The free MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella, all of which can be serious and sometimes fatal to catch.
But, take-up dipped to below 80 per cent in 2003, meaning that a significant number of unprotected adults and young people are now left vulnerable.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that to prevent outbreaks of disease, 95 per cent of people need to have received the MMR vaccine.
The drop in vaccine levels came due to anti-vaxxer Andrew Wakefield’s discredited and retracted research claiming links between the MMR and autism.
The viral illness is now prevalent across parts of Europe, with 643 laboratory confirmed measles cases in England between 01 January 2018 and 18 June 2018.
The vaccine is available free to anyone who has not received both doses as a child.
Head of Immunisation at Public Health England (PHE), Dr Mary Ramsay said: “In the early 2000s there was a fall in MMR vaccination coverage in children and as a consequence, we are now seeing measles cases in young adults. Measles can be more serious in adults with a higher likelihood of hospitalisation and complications arising.
“Measles is circulating in England and the rest of Europe. We often think about what travel-related vaccines we might need before going on holiday, but it’s also important to check that we are up to date with routine vaccinations like MMR.
If you are unsure if you have had 2 doses of MMR call your GP practice to check and catch up if needed.”
Parents are also urged to take part in the MMR vaccination programme for their children at 1 year of age and as a pre-school booster at 3 years and 4 months old.
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