We are urging parents and carers to check their families are fully vaccinated against measles
As measles cases are on the increase our health partners will be taking their community clinic in a van back out on the road again next week to help provide the MMR vaccine. No appointment needed just drop-in.
Where will the Community Clinic in a Van be visiting?
- Tuesday 6th February – 4.30pm- 6.30pm. Ravensthorpe Retail Park (Huddersfield Road, WF13 3HN)
- Wednesday 7th February 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Tesco, Batley (Bradford Road, WF17 5JU)
- Saturday 10th February – 11am to 3.30pm. Dewsbury Town Hall (Wakefield Old Road, WF12 8DG)
Further to the recent measles outbreak in the West Midlands we are working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to ensure everyone is alert to the signs and symptoms of measles and urge people to check their families are fully vaccinated.
In recent years, the number of children vaccinated against measles has fallen. Uptake for the first dose of the MMR vaccine which protects against measles, mumps and rubella in children aged 2 years in England is 89% and uptake of 2 MMR doses in children aged 5 years is 85%. This is well below the 95% target set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is necessary to achieve and maintain elimination.
Children are offered the first dose of the MMR vaccine when aged one year and the second dose aged 3 years 4 months. Both doses are required to ensure full and lasting protection against measles, mumps and rubella.
Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious illnesses that can easily spread between unvaccinated people. Complications from these diseases can potentially be life changing.
Councillor Jackie Ramsay, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care said:
“Specialists from the UK Health Security Agency are working with the NHS and local authorities following a recent measles outbreak in the West Midlands. UKHSA have informed us that further outbreaks of measles will spread to other towns and cities unless urgent action is taken to increase Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination uptake.”
Kirklees Council’s Director of Public Health, Rachel Spencer-Henshall said:
“Vaccines are our best line of defence against diseases like measles and help stop outbreaks occurring in the community. We are working with NHS colleagues to provide a mobile vaccination unit and details around locations and dates will be available on Kirklees Council’s Facebook page as soon as these have been confirmed.
I am urging all parents and carers to make sure your children are up to date with their 2 MMR doses. It’s never too late to catch up, and you can get the MMR vaccine for free on the NHS whatever your age.”
Spending 15 minutes or more in direct contact with someone infected with measles is enough to catch the infection. People whose immunity is compromised, pregnant women and unvaccinated children are at increased risk of severe disease.
Measles symptoms to be aware of include:
- high fever
- sore, red, watery eyes
- coughing
- aching and feeling generally unwell
- a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms.
Anyone with symptoms that could be measles is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice, rather than visiting the surgery or A&E. This is because measles spreads very quickly and easily and so it is important to try and prevent the illness spreading further.
For more information, please speak to your GP, health visitor or visit the NHS website for more information on measles.