Measles: Parents urged to ensure their children are protected

Summary

With the number of reported measles cases in young people in the UK on the rise, the School Age Immunisation Team at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust is urging parents and guardians to check their children’s MMR/MMRV status and make sure they are fully vaccinated against the disease.

Details

Measles is around five times more infectious than Covid-19, spreads very easily , and you can catch it at any age. Most people will have mild disease, however, babies and young children, pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system are at increased risk of complications, including pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, seizures and pregnancy loss.

The best way to protect your child against measles is to ensure they are fully vaccinated. The MMR/MMRV vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against measles , mumps , rubella (German measles) and chicken pox.

Children born before 1 January 2025 should have been offered the MMR vaccine as part of the UK national vaccination programme. Those born on or after 1 January 2025 should be offered the MMRV vaccine. They will be offered their first dose of MMRV at 12 months old and their second dose of MMRV at 18 months old.

You can find out more about the reasons for the change and what vaccinations children should receive when, in this blog post .

To see if your child is up to date with their MMR/MMRV vaccines, check their Personal Child Health Record (PCHR), known as the red book , or contact your GP practice.

If you have a child at either primary or secondary school, and they have never previously received the MMR vaccine, have only had one dose of it, or you’re not sure of their vaccination status, our School Age Immunisation Team can check your child’s record and arrange to give them their outstanding doses if needed.

The combined MMR vaccine has been safely protecting children in many countries worldwide since it was introduced in 1988.

What You Need to Know

To see if your child is up to date with their MMR/MMRV vaccines, check their Personal Child Health Record (PCHR), known as the red book , or contact your GP practice.

For further details click here