The West Midlands has seen a sharp rise in measles cases in children, which can be linked to the drop in the number of children being vaccinated with MMR, which also protects against mumps and rubella.
Measles is a viral infection that can spread very quickly among people who have not had their MMR vaccines. The disease can have severe health consequences, particularly for babies under one year of age, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. Complications include breathing issues, pneumonia, loss of hearing, meningitis or in rare cases, death.
As a parent or someone responsible for the care of a young or vulnerable person, you can help to reduce the spread of the virus. Vaccinations are the most effective method in preventing infection.
How you can help to reduce the spread of measles
Check your/ your families vaccination status:
Two doses of MMR are needed for maximum protection and give lifetime protection against measles, along with protecting against mumps and rubella, so ensure you and your family are up to date with MMR vaccines. If uncertain about your vaccination history, you can check your Red Book, look on the NHS app or contact your GP.
Get up to date with your MMR vaccines!
Schedule appointments with your GP to catch-up on any missed doses. Your GP surgery will usually contact you when your child is due for a routine vaccination, but if you think your child has missed a dose, you can speak to your practice to book an appointment.
Children typically get the first MMR dose around their first birthday, and the second dose at 3 years 4 months, and preferably before starting school full time.
If you are pregnant and require the vaccine?
You will have to wait until the birth of the baby before having the vaccine.
It’s never too late to catch up on your MMR vaccines, so if you’ve missed having your MMR, just contact your GP to arrange your vaccine once the baby is born. If you’re not sure of your vaccine status, don’t worry, you can have another MMR vaccine or both vaccines, you just need to have them one month apart.
Spot the signs of measles:
Symptoms appear 7-10 days after contact with someone infected with measles and include:
• cold-like symptoms such as runny or blocked nose, sneezing and cough.
• red, sore, watery eyes
• high temperature (fever), which may reach around 40OC
• non-itchy, red-brown rash appears 3-5 days later (sometimes starts around the ears before spreading to rest of the body), spots may be raised and join to form blotchy patches – which may be harder to see on darker skin tones.
If you think you could have measles, stay away from areas where you could meet lots of other people – especially vulnerable patients in hospitals, care homes or other healthcare settings. If you have the symptoms of measles, it is essential that you don’t just turn up at your GP practice, walk in centre or other healthcare provider. Instead, contact your GP or NHS111 for advice. If you do need to visit a healthcare setting, please phone ahead so arrangements can be made to prevent other people being infected.
Do you have symptoms of measles? This animation explains what symptoms might look like and what to do if you have them.
