Doctors are again urging parents to make sure their children are vaccinated against measles, in an effort to prevent an outbreak of the damaging disease.
At the end of last year, and again last month, the NHS has pushed young people to get up-to-date with their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations.
It has led to a big boost in numbers. There has been a 20 per cent rise in uptake in South West London thanks to community outreach and “street ambassadors” explaining the risks of the disease and the benefits to the MMR jab.
But doctors are still worried that too many young people remain unprotected from a highly infectious disease that can cause serious illness.
South West London’s chief medical officer Dr John Byrne said that while great progress has been made, there is an urgency to those that aren’t fully vaccinated to come forward.
We’ve been having important conversations in the community – our ‘ambassadors’ have been out on the streets listening to concerns and sharing information – as a result thousands more young people in south west London and across the capital are now protected against measles, mumps and rubella.
Dr John Byrne, South West London’s chief medical officer
The warning comes as the UK’s Healthy Security Agency updated its research and analysis into confirmed cases of measles in England during 2023. It highlighted London and the West Midlands as particular areas of concern and noted a “rapid escalation from the beginning of October” in the West Midlands.
While the numbers are comparatively small, the corresponding graph shows just how rapidly measles can take off. The best solution is to ensure widespread vaccination so the spread is more easily contained.
Dr Byrne explained that: “Cases continue to be reported across the country and measles is a very serious illness that is highly infectious, so it is absolutely crucial that everyone who is still unprotected comes forward to get their two doses as soon as possible by getting in touch with their GP practice – please don’t wait for measles to be on your doorstep.”
Catching measles can lead to life-changing issues for adults and children, such as blindness, deafness and swelling of the brain (encephalitis). Measles can also have a serious impact on pregnant women, potentially leading to premature birth, low birth weight and still birth. The vaccine cannot be given during pregnancy. [Find out more about measles.]
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are needed for maximum life-long protection, with the first dose given around a child’s first birthday and the second dose given at around three years and four months.
If you do need to get an MMR jab for yourself or your child, the two nearest clinics to Putney, their addresses and opening times are:
- The Junction Health Centre in Clapham Junction
Monday May 13th (3.30pm-7pm)
Saturday May 18th (9am-1pm) - Tudor Lodge Health Centre in Southfields
Thursday May 16th (3.30pm-6.30pm)
Saturday May 18th (9am-1pm)
Appointments can be booked via your GP.
