Warning over measles risk during school holidays

Telegraph

a day ago

Parents are being urged to make sure their children are vaccinated against measles ahead of the summer holidays as an outbreak continues to spread across the UK.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, but two doses of the MMR vaccine during childhood can offer lifelong protection. However, uptake of the vaccine is below recommended levels, and cases have been rising in the UK.
Young children have the first dose when they are one year old and the second between three years and four months and five years of age.
There have been 420 cases in England so far this year, with 86 last month, figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal. Two thirds of the cases were in children under 10, and almost 40 per cent were in London.
The capital has the lowest vaccination percentage in the country, with more than a quarter of the population going without full protection.
Officials are concerned that the infection, which can lead to serious complications, spreads easily through the air via sneezes, coughs and exhalations. They said it could see an uptick when schools break up for the summer and children mingle during the holidays.
Measles has an estimated 'R' number of around 18, which means that on average a single infected person passes the infection on to 18 others. Covid has a natural 'R' number of about three.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: 'It's essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with two MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family.
'Measles cases are picking up again in England, and outbreaks are happening in Europe and many countries with close links to the UK.
'Measles spreads very easily and can be a nasty disease, leading to complications like ear and chest infections and inflammation of the brain, with some children tragically ending up in hospital and suffering life-long consequences. Nobody wants this for their child, and it's not something you want to experience when away on holiday.'
People who have the two doses of the MMR vaccine, which are safe and effective, are not only protecting themselves but also helping protect others who are unvaccinated, such as young babies.
Health officials said parents could check their child's 'red book', a national record given to parents or carers at birth to document a child's health and development, to see if they are fully protected.
Adults can also check their own vaccination status by contacting their GP or checking in the NHS app, although not everyone's complete immunisation data is live on the app.
The UKHSA said that cases in Europe had reached their highest level in almost three decades last year. A global increase in measles has led the agency to say it is concerned that this could mean people bring back the contagious disease to England after travelling over the summer.
There were more than 127,000 cases of measles in Europe last year, according to global health leaders, the highest number since 1997. So far this year, outbreaks have been documented in France, Italy, Spain and Germany.
Romania, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Nigeria currently have among the largest number of measles cases worldwide, according to a recent report by the World Health Organisation.
Dr Amanda Doyle, the national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, said: 'The recent increase in cases seen in England and Europe should act as an important reminder to ensure your child is protected.
'Too many babies and young children are still not protected against the diseases, which are contagious infections that spread very easily and can cause serious health problems.
'MMR jabs are provided free as part of the NHS routine immunisation programme, and I would encourage all parents to act on invites or check vaccination records if they think they may have missed their child's vaccination.'