Measles cases are on the rise. In fact, cases have more than doubled in England so far this year, compared to the whole of last year, and the numbers are even higher abroad - with cases rising across some areas of Europe.
As we all gear up for the summer holidays, when families are more likely to travel, unprotected children could be at risk of the disease. It is incredibly important we make sure children are protected – and encourage parents to get them vaccinated against measles as soon as possible.
Measles is one of those diseases we don’t tend to worry about anymore because vaccination has been so effective, but the reality is it hasn’t gone away. Looking at the latest national data, between 1st January and 30th June there were 128 cases of measles in England, compared to 54 cases in the whole of 2022. This shows just how infectious it is – in fact, just one infected person can pass measles to nine out of ten unprotected people – so it’s really important we get our kids fully vaccinated.
This rise in cases is partly explained by the fall in the number of children having been MMR vaccinated. Looking at the latest national data, one in ten five-year-olds are not fully protected against measles. The risk is high in London in particular, with lower vaccination rates meaning that, in some areas, two in five children are not being protected.
Speaking as both a doctor and a mum, the MMR vaccine is the best possible way to keep our children safe and healthy. Since the measles vaccine was introduced in the 1960s, over 20 million cases of measles have been avoided, saving over 4,500 lives – which shows just how safe and effective it is.
Among parents, I think there’s often a perception that measles is just a rash, but it is much more than that - it’s a virus that infects the respiratory tract, and then spreads through the body. It can start with cold-like symptoms and a high temperature up to several days before a rash appears. In some cases, it can lead to meningitis and sepsis, causing real risk to life. There is also no specific treatment for measles, making vaccination the best protection for keeping our little ones safe.
Parents can find out if their child is protected by checking their red book to see if they are fully vaccinated against this disease. If not, it is important for them to ensure their child catches up on any missed doses by contacting their GP practice. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are all it takes to give the best protection against the illness.
And don’t forget to contact your GP practice to check your own vaccination record and make an appointment to catch up on any missed doses, too!
- To find out more, visit nhs.uk/MMR.
