NHS warning on measles

NHS Warrington is urging patients under 25 who have missed their MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine to see their GP, following recent confirmation of cases of measles in Cheshire.
There is an ongoing epidemic of measles in Europe, with the number of confirmed cases in England and Wales rising sharply this year. Already this year there have been a similar number of cases as the whole of last year.
The plea from NHS Warrington follows two confirmed cases – both children – and a number of probable cases, reported in Cheshire in the last few weeks.
None of these patients had received the required two doses of the MMR vaccine.
Dr Marioth Manche, deputy director of Public Health for Warrington said: “Two doses of a very safe vaccine are all it takes to save many people from the risk of the potentially severe complications of measles or mumps infections.
It is impossible to stress often enough the need for those who have not been vaccinated to be vaccinated as soon as possible. The viruses are circulating in Cheshire, the rest of the UK and in Europe, and outbreaks in Warrington are a distinct possibility, especially as the summer season starts and young families travel to Europe on holiday. France is particularly badly affected.”
Measles is highly infectious and is spread through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is extremely important to have two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination. MMR is routinely given in the UK at the age of 13 months and again at three and-a-half years.
Around 1 in 5 measles cases can develop complications including pneumonia and permanent loss of hearing.
Warrington patients who have any concerns or are unsure if they were fully vaccinated as children should check with their GPs who can arrange a vaccination if necessary.