Demand for MMR vaccine continues as measles cases rise again

Almost 2,500 doses of MMR have been given in GP surgeries in Wales in the last week as Public Health Wales continues to urge unvaccinated people to come forward.

In the week ending 29 May, a total of 2,432 unscheduled vaccines were given across Wales.

Although the measles outbreak centred on the Swansea area is slowing, with six new cases of the disease reported in the last two days, Public Health Wales is reminding young people and their parents that not enough people are vaccinated to prevent future large outbreaks.

Schools vaccination sessions held across Wales ended on Friday 24 May and there are currently no plans for further drop-in sessions, but GP surgeries continue to offer the vaccine to anyone who needs to catch up.

The first dose of MMR is usually given to babies at 12 months of age and the second at three years and four months of age, but it is never too late to catch up on missed doses.

Anyone who was born after 1970 and hasn’t had measles or two doses of MMR is urged to be vaccinated, but there is particular concern for people aged 10 to 18 as there are large numbers still unvaccinated in this age group.

Dr Marion Lyons, Director of Health Protection for Public Health Wales, said: “The outbreak centred on Swansea has slowed significantly, but parents should not believe this is the last we will see of measles in Wales if large numbers remain unvaccinated.

“This outbreak has shown us how quickly measles can spread between people who are not vaccinated and how serious an infection it can be. While we have tens of thousands of people between 10 and 18 not vaccinated, who continue to mix with one another at school and at social events, we can’t rule out another large outbreak in the coming months or years.

“The message remains that measles can be extremely serious and anyone not fully vaccinated is at risk. If you are not vaccinated, now is the time to contact your GP.”

Cases in the outbreak centred on the Swansea area have now reached 1,158.

The MMR vaccine is recommended by the World Health Organization, UK Department of Health and Public Health Wales as the most effective and safe way to protect children against measles.

Unvaccinated children aged between six and 12 months living in or travelling to the outbreak areas of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot or North Powys can be offered vaccination by their GP. There is no adverse effect to this extra jab and those children would still need to receive the recommended two doses at 12 months and three years and four months of age.

To prevent the spread of the illness, Public Health Wales has issued the following advice:

• If your child is unvaccinated make immediate arrangements with your GP for them to receive the MMR jab. This is even more important if your child has had contact with someone with measles
• If your child is unwell and you suspect it is measles you should contact your GP. Your child should not attend school or nursery for four days after the rash starts.
• Telephone your GP surgery to inform them you or your child has a rash illness before attending, so that arrangements can be made in advance for minimising contact with other vulnerable patients
• Avoid going to A&E unless you are seriously ill, and if you do attend, telephone ahead to let them know you or your child may have measles
• Avoid contact with pregnant women, people with weak immune systems and babies who are too young to be vaccinated, as they are more vulnerable to infection and there are very few treatments available to help them if they do catch measles
• If any family members are pregnant, receiving chemotherapy, or aged under one, it is vital to ensure that all other family members are up to date with their MMR vaccination

Maternity wards, midwives and health visitors are being asked to share information with parents to encourage them to check the vaccination status of all children in the family to avoid further household spread amongst vulnerable groups

Further information on measles, including a link to a video testimony from a mother whose three year old unvaccinated daughter contracted measles, is available at: http://www.publichealthwales.org/measles

The latest data on the measles outbreak – including cases by health board area, vaccination uptake data and numbers of unvaccinated children in Wales – can be found at: www.publichealthwales.org/measles-outbreak-data