Vaccination plea after measles cases surge in Scotland

BBC News

a day ago

Health chiefs are warning of the risks of measles after more cases were recorded in Scotland in the first five months of the year than the whole of 2024.The latest figures, to be published on Thursday, could show more cases of the highly infectious disease, which is on the rise around the world.Two years ago there was just one case of measles in Scotland but last year that rose to 24 laboratory-confirmed cases.That figure was exceeded by 14 May this year and, although the numbers remain small, health experts are concerned that low vaccination rates in some areas could lead to many more cases.
Measles is a highly contagious disease which is spread by coughs and sneezes.The virus can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling and death.The World Health Organization said children under the age of five accounted for more than 40% of the cases reported in Europe and central Asia.In March, it reported that the number of measles cases in Europe was at its highest level for 25 years.WHO regional director Henri Kluge called it a "wake-up call"."Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security," he said.
Helen Benson, consultant in public Health for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said there had been an increase in cases across Scotland. "We have already seen more this year than the whole of last year," she said."In Glasgow we have seen several cases since the start of the year and in recent weeks we have seen a small number within the Govanhill area."We are potentially aware that there may be some transmission in the local community so our efforts now are to minimise the number of further cases."She said the health board was focusing its campaign on increasing levels of the MMR vaccine in the area.
The vaccine is generally given in two doses: the first between 12 and 15 months and the second at four to six years.Health experts says the vaccine - which immunises people against measles, mumps and rubella - is 97% effective in fighting off the dangerous virus. Uptake in Scotland remains high, with 90% of children having two doses by the age of six. However, WHO recommends at least 95% of children are vaccinated.Across Scotland vaccination rates have fallen slightly in recent years with public health officials believing vaccine fatigue or misinformation plays a role.Govanhill, one of the most diverse areas of Scotland, is one of several areas in Glasgow that has lower MMR vaccination rates.
Ms Benson said: "We've got a population that speaks many languages. For many English is not the first language. "So sometimes that has meant they may have had difficulty engaging with the NHS."She said the health board had launched a communication campaign across several languages and was using community peer workers to encourage people to take up the opportunity of any MMR vaccinations they may have missed."Measles can be a very serious infection," Ms Benson said."Approximately one in five cases end up in hospital. "Many of those may require intensive care, and it can lead to lifelong complications, for example, hearing loss, sight loss and inflammation of the brain."She said some people were more susceptible to complications from measles than others, including small babies under the age of one, pregnant women and people with immunosuppression."It is important to get the vaccine not just for yourself but for the people around you," she said.
Yvonne McAuley is one of the staff nurses who run the immunisation team which has set up a pop-up vaccine clinic in Govanhill.She said it can be difficult to get clients to come to an appointment because of barriers such as language, fear or misinformation. "We are very passionate about our job because we know what the outcome could be if the kids don't get immunised," she added.Ms McAuley said the team was doing everything it could to boost numbers, from providing interpreters and drop-in clinics to giving people who were afraid more time for their appointment.
Maryan Chaudhry and her husband Arfan Ali spoke to BBC Scotland News as they brought their one-year-old baby Liya for her MMR jab at the clinic."If it can benefit my child and her wellbeing, I will get it done," Maryan said. "It is to protect her."