Why every unprotected child and teenager should have two doses of MMR vaccine

28 November 2008

Measles could sweep the UK unless vulnerable children and teenagers are vaccinated as a matter of urgency, the Health Protection Agency North West warned today.

There were 107 confirmed cases in the North West this year to the end of October, the highest figure in the UK outside London.

Dr. Rosemary McCann, the HPA's North West Immunisation Lead, said: "Britain is on the cusp of a measles epidemic because a large cohort of children and teenagers missed out on MMR vaccination over the past five to 10 years and measles is now spreading amongst them.

"We've had large outbreaks in Lancashire and Cheshire and smaller ones in Liverpool and Greater Manchester with sporadic cases reported elsewhere in the region. We must do all we can to halt this threat by encouraging the parents and guardians of unprotected children to arrange for vaccination by their family doctors.

"The ideal situation is for children to be given a dose of MMR vaccine at age one with a booster before reaching school age. However, it is not too late for older children and teenagers who missed out previously to be vaccinated. In fact, it is essential to get these older children protected if we are to avoid a measles epidemic. Anyone up to the age of 18 who is currently unprotected against measles, mumps and rubella should arrange vaccination through their family doctors.

"My big fear is that we will see further outbreaks, here or elsewhere in the region unless we improve MMR uptake rates amongst pre-school age children and persuade an older children and teenagers and their parents to arrange immunisation through their family doctors.

"Measles is not an illness to be taken lightly. It can be very serious. It can cause complications such as meningitis and encephalitis. On rare occasions, it can kill. Anyone with concerns or seeking information about the MMR campaign should consult their family doctor."

Note to editors

Measles is an infectious viral illness that at one time affected up to 800,000 people every year. Since the introduction of measles vaccine, and especially since the introduction of MMR vaccine in 1988, the numbers of cases have reduced dramatically.

There is no specific treatment for measles. Doctors and nurses treat the symptoms by, for instance, reducing fever. (Aspirin should not be given to anyone under 16 years old). Occasionally, antibiotics may be needed to treat a secondary bacterial infection.

People are infectious from just before they become unwell until around four days after the onset of the rash. Those affected should stay off work or school for five days from the onset of the rash.

Classic symptoms of measles are:

Fever
Cough
Red and painful eyes
Swollen glands
Loss of appetite
Rash, which tends to follow 3-4 days after onset of the above symptoms

Most people will recover from measles without too many problems, but a significant number will develop complications. These may include:

Ear infection (one in 20)
Pneumonia/bronchitis (one in 25)
Convulsion (one in 200)
Diarrhoea (one in six)
Hospital admission (one in 100)
Meningitis/encephalitis (one in 1,000)
Late onset subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) (one in 8,000 children under two years old). SSPE is a rare degenerative neurological condition that can develop some years after measles infection. It causes brain damage and death. The risk is greatest in those who were infected with measles at a young age. The average interval from measles infection to onset of SSPE is eight years. Death invariably follows. Since the introduction of live attenuated measles vaccine in the 1960s, the incidence of SSPE has dramatically decreased.
Death (one in 2,500-5,000))
Further information is available from:
http://www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk/
http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/measles/menu.htm

Press release issued by Hugh Lamont, Communications Manager, HPA North West. Tel. 0151-482-5728 or 07764-906508.

Last reviewed: 28 November 2008