Make sure your family is protected against measles!

Posted on July 17th, 2023

Data from UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that there has been a rise in measles cases this year, so we’re urging parents to ensure children have received their MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccination.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can lead to serious problems. Symptoms include a high fever, sore red watery eyes and a blotchy red-brown rash, and it is particularly easy to catch in environments when in close contact with others.

Vaccines are our best line of defence against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and help stop outbreaks occurring in the community.  During the COVID-19 pandemic there was a fall in uptake for routine childhood vaccinations, including MMR, which leaves the UK vulnerable to outbreaks.

UKHSA is asking parents of young children, teenagers and adults to check they are up to date with their MMR vaccines, particularly before they travel this summer and before attending festivals where measles can be spread more easily.

 You can find out more about the MMR vaccine programme on the NHS website, Gov.uk and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) website.