5 days ago
Urgent warning as thousands of Scots children at risk of brain damage over shortage of vital vaccine
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CHILDREN are at risk of brain damage because of a shortage of measles vaccinations in rural areas, medical experts have warned.
Remote GPs are suffering from 'empty fridge syndrome' with a lack of vaccines to prevent a deadly measles outbreak in their communities.
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Thousands of Scots children at risk of brain damage over shortage of vital vaccine
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There is a lack of vaccines to prevent a deadly measles outbreak
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Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it, according to the NHS
Credit: Getty
The lack of vaccines was described as 'deeply concerning', and one GP leader said he is 'very worried' about the risk of an outbreak.
A child died in Liverpool in recent weeks after contracting measles, believed to be the second child to die from the disease in the UK in the last five years.
Seventeen other children have been treated at Alder Hay Hospital for measles.
Dr Chris Provan, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, confirmed parents are more hesitant to vaccinate children due to online misinformation.
But he said the potentially deadly consequences of measles outweigh the very low risk of an adverse reaction to the vaccine.
He told the BBC society has forgotten how bad measles can be, with complications ranging from brain damage and convulsions to ear infections.
I am very worried about the risk to Scotland. We need to act now
Dr Chris Provan
He said: 'The immunisation rate for measles has gone down to the lowest rate it has been in the last 10 years.
'The antivax movement is a significant part of it, but part of it is really down to barriers to getting the immunisation sometimes.
'Sometimes in remote and rural areas there is less ability to give the vaccine when patients are in the practice for something else.
'There is something called empty fridge syndrome, where GPs in rural areas don't have the vaccine, so they can't give it out to the patients who have travelled for other reasons.'
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He confirmed there have been two deaths in the USA and one in Canada recently.
Some parents remain concerned about discredited claims that the vaccine is linked to autism.
Dr Provan added: 'Science has now shown there is no link to autism or bowel disease, so the risks of the vaccine are very small compared to the risk of measles.
'I am very worried about the risk to Scotland. We need to act now.'
It's deeply concerning that children could be at risk of serious harm because of falling vaccination rates under the SNP
Brian Whittle
He called for a major public health campaign to promote vaccination, particularly in remote areas and deprived communities where vaccine uptake is 10 per cent below the general population.
Peter Barlow, professor of immunology and infection at Edinburgh Napier University, said: 'Measles is so contagious that even a small drop in rates of immunisation can result in outbreaks.
'Entire communities and populations can become infected quite quickly.
"If enough of a community is protected by a vaccine, then it makes it more difficult for the disease to spread.
Symptoms of measles
MEASLES usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth.
The first symptoms of measles include: A high temperature
A runny or blocked nose
Sneezing
A cough
Red, sore, watery eyes
Small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips
A rash that starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.
The spots of the measles rash are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They're not usually itchy.
The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on brown and black skin.
Complications of measles
Measles can lead to serious problems if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain.
Problems that can be caused by measles include: pneumonia
meningitis
blindness
seizures (fits)
These problems are rare, but some people are more at risk. This includes babies and people with weakened immune systems.
Credit: NHS
'Herd immunity is very important for protecting people who might be at greater risk
"Such as those too young to receive a vaccine and individuals who are immunocompromised or undergoing medical treatment for diseases such as cancer.
'Outbreaks can escalate very quickly, especially in communities with clusters of unvaccinated individuals.
Scottish Conservative public health spokesman Brian Whittle said: 'It's deeply concerning that children could be at risk of serious harm because of falling vaccination rates under the SNP.
'The MMR jab is vital because this highly contagious disease can lead to severe complications, but under the nationalists, uptake has dropped to a 10-year low.
'Medics are doing the best, but the SNP needs to ensure that parents are aware of the consequences of not getting their children vaccinated.'
