Measles vaccination drive

AN MMR vaccination programme is being developed in Warrington as a result of the measles outbreak in South Wales and an increase in cases in England.
The drive is part of a national catch-up programme to increase vaccination among children and teenagers.
Aim of the programme is to prevent measles outbreaks by vaccinating as many unvaccinated and partially vaccinated 10-16 year olds as possible in time for the next school year.
New figures show high numbers of confirmed measles cases in England in the first three months of this year, reaching 587 by end of last month, following a record annual high of almost 2,000 cases in last year.
Although there were only 34 confirmed cases in the last quarter in Cheshire and Merseyside the longer term trend nationally is one of increasing cases.
In Warrington, three cases have been confirmed in the first three months of the year, compared with only one during the same period last year. Altogether, there were six cases last year.
Experts believe rise can be mostly attributed to the proportion of unprotected 10-16 year olds, who missed out on vaccination in the late 1990s and early 2000s when concern around the now discredited link between autism and the vaccine was widespread.
Professor Qutub Syed, PHE Cheshire and Merseyside Centre director, said: “Measles is a potentially fatal but entirely preventable disease so it is very disappointing we are still seeing measles in the Cheshire and Merseyside area.
“The catch-up programme recommends an approach to specifically target those young people most at risk. Those who have not been vaccinated should urgently seek at least one dose of MMR vaccination which will give them 95 per cent protection against measles. A second dose is then needed to provide almost complete protection.”
Dr Paula Grey, chairman of the Cheshire and Merseyside Directors of Public Health said: “The only way to prevent measles outbreaks is to ensure good uptake of the MMR across all age groups, and that when cases are reported, immediate public health action is taken to protect vulnerable individuals as soon as possible.
“Measles is not a mild illness – it is very unpleasant and can lead to serious complications as we have seen with more than 100 children in England being hospitalised so far this year.
“It is never too late to get vaccinated against measles. Parents of unvaccinated children, teenagers and young adults who have missed out on MMR should urgently arrange to be vaccinated by their GP. If you are unsure whether you or your child has had two doses of the vaccine, speak to your GP who will have a record.”