HPA North West Renews Its MMR Plea to Parents

31 March 2009

The Health Protection Agency North West and Primary Care Trusts in Greater Manchester have renewed their plea to parents to vaccinate unprotected children with two doses of MMR vaccine because the measles risk in the community is continuing.

Seventeen cases of measles have been reported in Greater Manchester since the end of February, including seven in Manchester, five in Oldham, four in Salford in the past week and one in Middleton.

Dr. Rosemary McCann, HPA North West's vaccination lead, said: "The risk from measles is ongoing in Greater Manchester and we also have mumps here and in many other parts of the region.

"The only certain protection from these potentially very serious infections is to have two doses of MMR vaccine. MMR uptake rates are increasing. The NHS has also been running successful catch-up clinics for the benefit of older children, teenagers and young adults who missed out on MMR vaccine at the optimum time."

Yet despite these efforts, there remains a large pool of older children and teenagers who remain vulnerable to infection.

"Measles can spread like wildfire when it gets amongst unvaccinated children and teenagers who play, study and mix socially together. Our message to parents is that they should arrange through their family doctors for these unprotected young people to be vaccinated now. It's not too late," Dr. McCann said.

Dr. McCann added that parents can further help prevent the spread of infection by not taking children with symptoms to the GP surgery or hospital accident and emergency unit. If a child has suspected measles, the parents should phone the family doctor or call NHS Direct, the 24-hour health information and advice service.

The NHS Direct number is 0845-4647.

Note to editors

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 that develops 3-4 days after the onset of illness, starting with the face and head and spreading down the body. 

People are infectious from just before 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 is 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. However, it is currently being offered to unprotected teenagers up to the age of 18 years, and to those going into university or further education, up to the age of 25.

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)

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

 

 

Last reviewed: 31 March 2009