There has been a huge rise in measles cases already this year inciting a national campaign to ensure that children and adults are adequately vaccinated against measles.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious illness. Complications of the disease include pneumonia and meningitis. In some cases, the virus can be fatal.
The MMR vaccine is a highly safe and effective vaccine that not only offers protection against measles but also against mumps and rubella, as a 3-in-1 vaccine.
In the UK, the uptake of the MMR vaccination has declined significantly, resulting in an increase in measles infection. It is estimated that 3.4 million children under the age of 16 years remain unprotected against the disease.
The UK is not alone with rising cases of measles. The World Health Organization has reported a 30-fold increase of measles in Europe. Over 30,000 measles cases were reported by 40 of the Region’s 53 Member States between January and October 2023. Compared to 941 cases reported in all of 2022.
The MMR vaccination forms part of the national childhood schedule where the vaccinations are given at one year of age and then at 3 years of age.
Two doses of the vaccination provide over 99% protection against illness.
ADVICE
Although measles is a highly contagious illness, it can be easily prevented with vaccination.
MMR VACCINATION:
For full protection, ensure your child has received their routine childhood immunisations of 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.
Children at high risk of measles exposure can receive an accelerated vaccine schedule of MMR if they are high risk for contracting the disease, where two doses are given one month apart.
Infants at high risk contracting the disease can receive the MMR from as early as 9 months of age.
In some cases, a catch-up vaccination may be recommended for individuals who have not received the vaccine at the recommended ages.
Additionally, in certain situations, infants may receive an early dose of MMR, such as during outbreaks or if they will be traveling to areas where there is an increased risk of exposure.
Travellers who are visiting countries reporting outbreaks of measles should ensure that their routine immunisations against MMR have been completed. A simple blood test can confirm immunity if in doubt.
HOW MANY VACCINES ARE NEEDED?
Two doses of the MMR vaccine will provide lifetime immunity.
In the UK, these are normally given to a child around their first birthday. The second is normally given at around the age of three. If there is a risk of an outbreak or an infant is at higher risk to contract the disease, vaccines are sometimes given as early as 9 months of age.
You can easily book an MMR vaccine appointment online.
SHOULD I BE WORRIED?
Adults are also encouraged to check their own and their children’s vaccination status. This is especially important for those who are considered vulnerable or those travelling to countries that have reported outbreaks of measles.
In the first instance, you should call your GP for confirmation of your vaccination history. If you didn’t have the MMR vaccine or your course is incomplete, you can book your MMR catch up vaccinations online.
Alternatively, if you are unable to find your records, a simple blood test will be able to confirm if you are immune or not. If you were born before 1970, it is assumed you will be immune through natural infection with the disease.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR PARENTS?
Yes, we wrote a separate blog for parents who are worried about measles. We cover symptoms of measles, what to do if you suspect your child has measles, what to do if your child has been exposed to measles, amongst other important information.
The take home message being that the risk to you child dramatically reduces if they have had the full course of the MMR vaccine. If they are part-way through the course or have missing vaccinations, we encourage you to consider catch up vaccinations for full protection and peace of mind.
Read our full blog on what to do if you think your child has measles and when you should keep them off school.
CAN ADULTS RECEIVE THE VACCINE?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to have catch up vaccinations if they are required.
If you are unsure of your vaccination status, we would recommend a blood test to check your antibody level first. If we discover that you are not immune, you will require two vaccine doses, given a month apart.
WERE THERE ANY WARNING SIGNS OF AN OUTBREAK?
In July last year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a warning that, unless vaccination rates improve, London is at risk of a major measles outbreak. Even after that, the vaccination rates did not improve.
It is predicted that in some areas of the capital, up to forty per cent of children are not protected from measles by the time they start school. Young adults between the ages of nineteen and twenty-five are also particularly vulnerable. Referred to as the ‘Wakefield cohorts’ by UKHSA, this generation were exposed to misinformation published in the early 2000s and as a result, many were left unvaccinated.
In a bid to mitigate risk, councils wrote to households across the capital explaining the possibility of isolation requirements; Children who are identified as close contacts of a measles case, and who do not have an up-to-date vaccination record, may be required to self-isolate for up to twenty-one days. The NHS are therefore urging parents to check their children’s’ vaccination status. Records of their vaccines should be kept at their GP practice, or in their red book.
Book your MMR vaccination appointment today.
RELATED SERVICES AVAILABLE AT FLEET ST. CLINIC
CONTINUED READING ABOUT THE UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY (UKHSA) “ISOLATION WARNING FOR LONDON CHILDREN WITHOUT MEASLES JAB”
Read: Isolation warning for London children without measles jab
CONTINUED READING ABOUT THE LATEST MEASLES STATISTICS AND GUIDELINES (UKHSA) “LATEST MEASLES STATISTICS PUBLISHED” & “NATIONAL MEASLES GUIDELINES”
Read: Latest Measles Statistics Published
Read: National Measles Guidelines
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