MMR vaccine is still strongly encouraged, even after results show decline

As the new school term approaches, Shropshire Council’s public health team and Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are continuing to encourage parents and carers to ensure their children are fully immunised against measles.

Although measles cases in Shropshire are on a decline according to recent data released by Public Health England, both organisations want to stress that people shouldn’t become complacent and are continuing to encourage the take up of the MMR vaccine, in particularly to those parents and carers whose children may be starting school in September 2013.

Across England there were 113 cases in June, compared to 193 for May.  In Shropshire there were no reported cases during June and only one case confirmed in May.  Many parents are getting their child protected in response to the potential risk they are under after the recent outbreak of measles in Wales.

Although the results show a reduction in reported cases in Shropshire, a recent survey shows that around 1,500 children aged 10-16 have not received any dose, and around 850 have received only one dose and are still at risk of catching the virus.

Shropshire Council’s public health team and Shropshire CCG have been supporting the nationwide catch up campaign which aims to prevent measles outbreaks by vaccinating as many unprotected and only partially-protected children as possible in time for the next school year.

Experts believe the rise in measles cases can be mostly attributed to the proportion of unprotected 10- to 16-year-olds, who missed out on vaccination in the late 1990s and early 2000s when concern around the discredited link between autism and the vaccine was widespread.

While 10- to 16-year-olds are currently seen as the highest proportion of the public unprotected, the programme is trying to encourage parents and carers to ensure all children eligible for the vaccine are protected against measles.

Dr Caron Morton, Accountable Officer for Shropshire CCG, said:

“I would like to thank all NHS clinicians and staff who have helped deliver this catch up program so quickly and effectively.

“Although cases are starting to decline, I would urge parents to ensure their children receive both doses of the MMR vaccine, particularly before the start of the school term.  As a local GP, I know how unpleasant and potentially serious measles can be.  However, this risk is greatly reduced by having both doses of the vaccine which is tried, tested and safe.”

Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, said:

“It’s great that we are getting a decline in reported cases in Shropshire and more children are being vaccinated; however, I still encourage anyone who has yet to get their child vaccinated to do so as soon as possible, particularly before the summer holidays come to an end.  Measles is a serious illness, so any action that can prevent the spread of the virus should not be ignored.”

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

You can visit the Public Health England website at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england. 

Further information

The catch-up programme, run by Public Health England, NHS England, the Department of Health, and councils, aims to prevent measles outbreaks by giving MMR to as many unvaccinated and partially-vaccinated 10- to 16-year-olds as possible.

Progress in the campaign has been monitored using data on the MMR status of children aged between 10 and 16 years old, gathered from around 2,000 general practices in July 2013.  When compared with similar-aged children in 2012, the numbers point to almost 60,000 previously unvaccinated children having now had one dose in England. Additionally, a slightly higher number have now completed the two dose course.