It’s not too late to be immunised: reminder to parents to ensure children are protected against measles

Parents and carers across Shropshire are being reminded to ensure their children are protected against measles. 

This follows an increase in cases of measles across the country; in particular Wales and the north west of Shropshire, which have seen a small cluster of cases linked to communities living around the border with Wales.

Shropshire Council’s public health team is working closely with the local GPs, Public Health England and the Powys Health Board to monitor the situation and to promote access to the MMR vaccine.

Shropshire has a higher level of MMR immunisation than the national average; however, we are encouraging those parents whose children are not protected from Measles, Mumps and Rubella to arrange with their GP surgery to have their children immunised. Immunisation is the best way to protect your children from catching measles; it is tested, effective and safe. 

Both immunisations are necessary to ensure that children are fully protected.  Although the vaccines are normally given at the age of 13 months and between 3 years 4 months and 5 years, children of any age, including teenagers and young adults, can still be vaccinated if they missed out on immunisation when they were younger.  It is never too late to have this done.  Due to the proximity of some areas of the West Midlands to the Welsh border, Public Health England has advised that GPs in higher risk areas offer the MMR jab to children from six months old.

Professor Rod Thomson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, advised:

“Following increased cases of measles nationally, we are reminding parents to ensure their children have been given their two doses of MMR vaccine which protects against Measles, Mumps and Rubella.  Measles is potentially very serious and can be fatal, so please don’t let your son or daughter run the risk of catching this highly infectious disease. 

“We are advising parents that if their child has missed one or both doses of MMR they should contact their GP surgery to arrange immunisation.”  

It is very important at times like this to review your child’s immunisation history and ensure this is up to date.  Please check that you have written proof that your child is up to date with their MMR vaccines (for example, in their child health record book) and if they are not please arrange for this to be undertaken at your GP practice as soon as possible.

Measles is highly contagious and is generally spread from person to person by respiratory droplets such as coughs and sneezes.  Early symptoms include a high temperature, cough, painful red eyes, and sometimes small white spots inside the mouth.  A red, blotchy rash appears around 3 days later, usually starting on the face and then spreading down over the rest of the body.  Although most children recover within a few weeks, in serious cases measles can lead to meningitis or pneumonia. 

Any person with a rash should stay at home for five days after the start of the rash.

Dr Caron Morton, Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s accountable officer, added:

“Measles can be an unpleasant and potentially fatal illness, and although most children recover within a few weeks, in serious cases measles can lead to meningitis or pneumonia. This is why we strongly encourage any parents who have not had their children immunised to contact their GP practice and make an appointment at the earliest opportunity.”

If you are not sure if your child has had two doses of MMR vaccine, please check with your GP practice and they will be able to tell you.

For more information on measles visit http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Measles/Pages/Introduction.aspx

If you think your child has measles, please contact your GP practice who can offer advice and support.

Further information

If a parent in a higher risk area decides to get their child immunised with the MMR vaccine early (from six months onwards) this should be in addition to the regular MMR immunisation schedule, and that child should still have a jab at 12 to 13 months, followed by a booster when aged from three years four months to five years old.  For specific information regarding individual cases, parents should speak to their GP.

You can visit the Public Health website by clicking here.

Currently 95.7% of Shropshire’s 2-year-olds have had their first MMR jab, but this falls to 91.4% for children having their second injection by age five.   Although these figures are higher than the national average, the local NHS and Shropshire Council are committed to increasing the numbers of children receiving both vaccines.

Info for photo:

This thin-section transmission electron micrograph (TEM) revealed the ultra-structural appearance of a single virus particle, or “virion”, of measles virus.

Picture reproduced courtesy of: CDC/ Cynthia S. Goldsmith; William Bellini, PhD