IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Concerning the Measles Mumps and Rubella Vaccine
The UK has seen Measles Cases rising with twice as many cases being diagnosed in the first half of 2023 the Government have decided to complete a Catch up Campaign to try and catch all children who may not have had 2 MMR Vaccines. At the surgery we are actively contacting patients who are eligible For MMR vaccines. If you are worried your child has not had two MMR vaccines please do not hesitate to contact the surgery for advice. We have late night and early morning appointments for immunisations.
The UK Health Security Agency, have declared a national Incident. This is an internal mechanism within the agency signalling the growing health risk.
Measles is a serious illness, with one in five children who get the disease having to be admitted to Hospital for treatment, so if you or your child have not had your MMR jab, it is vital you come forward.
Measles is not just a childhood disease and can be serious at any age. If caught during pregnancy it can be very serious causing stillbirth, miscarriage and low birth weight and NHS bosses are urging young adults to catch up on any missed doses before thinking about starting a family.
Two doses of the safe and effective MMR vaccine are needed for maximum life- long protection, with the first dose given around the child’s first birthday, and the second dose given at around three year and four months old.
However, anyone can catch up at any age on any missed doses and it’s never too late to protect yourself. The vaccine doses are typically given via a single injection into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm and are usually delivered with their one year and preschool vaccinations.
Analysis shows one infected child in a classroom can infect up to nine other unvaccinated children, making it one of the most infectious diseases worldwide and more infectious than COVID 19. Meanwhile, one in five children with measles, will need to be admitted to Hospital for treatment. Measles can cause deafness, fits, pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, and brain damage.
If you have any concerns regarding the vaccine please do not hesitate to contact the surgery.
