Vaccinate children against measles, parents told

As schools across the borough re-open, NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (HMR) is urging parents to protect their children against measles by ensuring that they have the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab.

Measles is a highly infectious and potentially fatal illness that spreads very easily. The number of measles cases nationally is more than five times higher than they were last year. New cases are mainly among children, teenagers and adults who have not had their MMR jab.

NHS HMR is strongly recommending that parents protect their children against this highly infectious disease by ensuring that they are given the protection of two doses of the MMR vaccine which is the key to stemming the rise in measles cases.

Ideally children should have their first MMR vaccination at age 13 months and a second dose at the age of 3 years and four months. However, it’s not too late for older children and teenagers to be vaccinated if they missed out at the optimum time.

Urging those who have not had the MMR jab to get one now Dr Jane Rossini, Director of Public Health said: “MMR is a safe and effective vaccine and I cannot stress enough that anyone who has missed out on their MMR vaccine will continue to be at risk of measles. If you have not had your child vaccinated please contact your GP”.

Dr Rossini added “This should be done as soon as possible to protect children as they start the new school year because the increased close contact in schools can allow the virus to spread more easily.”