Pupils to be vaccinated to prevent measles spreading in primary school

27 March 2009

Three measles cases have been reported in pupils at a primary school in Salford. One has been confirmed by laboratory tests and the others are probable cases.

To prevent further spread of infection, nurses from Salford Primary Care Trust (PCT) will visit the school on Friday of this week to vaccinate 24 pupils who have not been previously protected by two doses of MMR vaccination, subject to parental consent.

Measles is an infectious viral illness that is spread by droplets in the air when infected people cough or sneeze.  The most common symptoms are fever, cough, sore eyes and a rash. 

Dr Rosemary McCann, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control with the Health Protection Agency's Greater Manchester Health Protection Unit, said: 'Measles is a serious illness and should not be dismissed lightly. It can sometimes lead to complications including pneumonia, meningitis and on rare occasions, death. 

"It is highly infectious and can spread quickly when it gets into schools. That is why it is so important for unprotected children to be vaccinated as soon as possible. MMR vaccine is usually given to children at around 13 months old, with a second dose before they start school.

"However, if older children and teenagers missed out on MMR protection at the appropriate time, it is not too late. Their parents can contact their GPs and arrange for them to be vaccinated now. Anyone up to the age of 18 or even older is entitled to receive the MMR vaccination on the NHS."

Note to editors

More information is also available on the following websites:

http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk  (NHS immunisation information website)
http://www.hpa.org.uk (The Health Protection Agency Website)
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk (NHS Direct Website)

Measles is an infectious viral illness that was once common in the UK. Since the introduction of measles vaccine, and especially since the introduction of MMR vaccine in 1988, numbers of cases have reduced to low levels.  However, there have been increases in recent years, partly because vaccine uptake has been low in parts of the country and partly because there is a large pool of unprotected older children and teenagers who missed out on MMR protection at the appropriate time.

The following symptoms are commonly seen in measles infection:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore and watering eyes
• Widespread rash that develops 3-4 days after the onset of the illness, starting with the face and head and spreading down the body.

Although most people will get over measles without too many problems, a significant number will go on to develop complications including ear infection, diarrhoea, pneumonia or meningitis.

Complications are more likely in those who have a weakened immune system or in infants under the age of 1 year.  Measles can also cause problems in pregnancy. People in these categories who are recent contacts of a definite case of measles and who are not immune may be offered vaccination.

Medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can alleviate some of the symptoms associated with fever, but aspirin and medications containing aspirin should be avoided in children under the age of 16 years. Antibiotics may be prescribed if patients suffer a bacterial infection. 

People are infectious from just before the time they become unwell to around 4 days after the onset of the rash. Those affected should stay off school or work for 5 days from the onset of the rash.

The most effective protection against measles infection is full immunisation with two doses of MMR vaccine. The doses are normally given at 13 months of age and just before going to school at age four or five.

For further information contact Hugh Lamont, Communications Manager, HPA North West, on 0151-482-5728 or 07764-906508 or Laura Hall on 0151-482-5732.

 

Last reviewed: 27 March 2009