Is your child protected against measles? Protect your child with the MMR vaccine.

 

Measles continues to be of increasing concern, as cases continue to rise in neighbouring boroughs. Most of these are young children who have not had their MMR vaccine.

 

Current figures show that only 73% of under 5s in Barnet are fully vaccinated against measles. This is worryingly below the 95% that is needed to prevent an outbreak, as set by the World Health Organisation. The possibility of a major measles outbreak in Barnet will continue to grow unless MMR vaccination rates improve.

 

Measles is a highly contagious disease and can lead to complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, and inflammation of the brain which requires hospitalisation. Measles can also lead to long term disability or death.

 

Spending 15 minutes or more in direct contact with someone infected with measles is enough to catch the infection. Any child identified as a close contact of a measles case without satisfactory vaccination status may be asked to self-isolate for up to 21 days.

 

Read this blog to learn about what to do if you think your child has measles and when to keep them off school.

 

MMR and autism

Measles is prevented by the MMR vaccine, which also protects against mumps and rubella. There is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Many studies have investigated this and found no link. If you would like to learn more about the studies and their findings, visit the Oxford University Vaccine Knowledge Project.

 

Check your child’s red book and contact their GP to make sure they are up to date on their routine vaccinations. For more information visit: https://nclhealthandcare.org.uk/keeping-well/baby-and-childhood-vaccinations/