Nationally there has been a rise in cases of measles as the number of children who have not had the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination has increased. The Health Protection Agency is now predicting a measles epidemic.
The potential long-term side effects of measles, mumps and rubella cannot be ignored. Early years practitioners can play a significant part in preventing childhood diseases.
In line with the Every Child Matters outcome, Helping to Keep Children Healthy, we have a duty to children to promote immunisations and discuss the benefits with parents. Of course, we need to be sensitive to parents and the reasons why they may not want to immunise their child. Health visitors can be invited to parent meetings to discuss the facts and myths about the MMR immunisation. Parents must be asked at entry if their child has been immunised. If not, practitioners should share information and direct parents to their health visitor.
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