Parent’s urged to vaccinate children as measles return

Parents are being urged to give their children the protection of two doses of MMR vaccine following the return of measles to the Rochdale Borough.

Laboratory tests have confirmed that one young adult and one child have measles and a third possible case is awaiting results. All are recovering at home.

Dr Sheila Will, Public Health Consultant in Health Protection at NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale said: “These are the first cases of measles we have seen in the Rochdale Borough this year. Now that it is in the community, it can spread and any child, teenager or young adult who has not been immunised with two doses of MMR will be vulnerable.

“Two doses of MMR give protection against measles, mumps and rubella. It is a safe and effective vaccine. Measles is a serious illness that can have potentially dangerous side effects. It is particularly severe in children with other underlying chronic health conditions, including those whose immune systems are not working properly. In very rare cases measles can kill.”

Dr Will stressed the importance of keeping children with suspected measles away from nursery, school or child care facilities until five days after the onset of the rash to avoid infecting others.

“Ideally, children should be given a first dose of MMR at age 13 months and a second dose at the age of three-and-a-half years. However, it is not too late for older children, teenagers and adults up to the age of 25 to be vaccinated if they missed out on immunisation at the optimum time. Parents and others wishing to arrange vaccination should speak to their family doctor.”

If you suspect your child has measles contact your GP and also inform them of possible measles so that arrangements can be made to avoid any further spread of the disease when visiting the surgery.