Parents warned of budding measles outbreak

Parents in Rochdale are being warned to protect their children against a surfacing measles epidemic.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) have claimed a recent outbreak in Lancashire and Cheshire is likely to reach the town if children have been left unprotected.

Doctors are now urging everyone to take up the MMR vaccination.

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 ten 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.”