Putney parents are being urged again by the NHS to book their children in for a measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine after cases continue to appear in South West London.
Just one infected child in a classroom can infect up to nine other unvaccinated children, the South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) has warned, making it one of the most infectious diseases worldwide and more infectious than Covid-19. One in five children with measles will need to be admitted to hospital for treatment.
The push for more vaccines comes despite a successful campaign earlier this year to urge parents and carers to book an appointment with their GP to make sure any six to 11-year olds were up-to-date with their jabs following of a worrying rise in the disease.
The South West London ICB – which is in charge of coordinating between health services to make a region’s healthcare needs are met – said this week that over 360,000 MMR vaccinations had been delivered between January and March, which is a 23 per cent jump on last year – but that there was still many more children at risk.
Measles is highly infectious so it’s vital that everyone who is still unprotected comes forward
Dr John Byrne
The latest stats from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal a worrying trend in kids catching measles – though to be due to a lower rate of vaccines given to children as a result of the pandemic – despite the awareness campaign. London remains the most impacted part of the country with 35 per cent of recently confirmed cases occurring in the capital.
Chief medical officer for South West London, Dr John Byrne, has also stressed that measles is not just a childhood disease and can be serious at any age. “Many South West Londoners have come forward to get vaccinated. However, measles is a very serious illness – a potentially life changing one – and is highly infectious so it’s vital that everyone who is still unprotected comes forward to get their two doses as soon as possible.”
The good news is that the vaccines are incredibly effective: two doses give lasting protection to 99 per cent of people against measles and rubella and 88 per cent against mumps.
Dr Byrne continued: “If anyone remains unsure about their or their child’s vaccination status or have questions about the vaccination, they should get in touch with their GP practice as soon as possible. People should also respond if the NHS contacts them to catch up.”
