Health chiefs have expressed concern after it emerged that MMR vaccination rates in England had fallen to their lowest level in a decade.
The uptake of two doses of the MMR vaccine is currently 85.5% – slightly below the 95% target for preventing measles recurrence. Health officials say more than one in 10 children starting school could be at risk for the disease as a result.
NHS England is appealing to parents who have not fully vaccinated their children with the MMR vaccine to do so. But what is the MMR vaccine – and what is measles itself?
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What is the MMR vaccine?
The MMR vaccine protects against three highly contagious diseases: measles, mumps and rubella.
According to the NHSthese conditions can lead to serious health problems later – such as meningitis and hearing loss during pregnancy – so it’s important that children get both doses of the MMR vaccine.
When should children get the MMR vaccine?
Children should have their first MMR vaccination at the age of one year and their second vaccination at the age of three years and four months.
However, if you have not yet received both doses of the MMR vaccine, you should speak to your family doctor and make an appointment.
Is the MMR vaccine safe?
The MMR vaccine is safe and generally has only mild side effects, such as swelling around the injection site and a high temperature in some infants who receive the vaccine.
It is also highly effective, providing about 99% protection against measles rubella and about 88% protection against mumps after two doses.
Claims that the MMR vaccine causes autism in some children have been thoroughly debunked. Andrew Wakefield, who claimed to have identified the link, was subsequently dropped from the medical registry when other studies failed to replicate his alleged findings.
What is measles?
Measles is a viral disease that can cause serious complications in some cases. It is now rare in the UK due to the effectiveness of the vaccination programme.
However, there are concerns that some parents – for whatever reason – do not get their children vaccinated against measles, potentially putting their children and others at risk.
What are the symptoms of measles?
According to the NHSthe first symptoms of measles typically appear about 10 days after infection and include the following:
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Cold symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing and coughing
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Red and sore eyes, possibly sensitive to light
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A high temperature, possibly up to 40°C
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Small, off-white spots on the inside of the cheeks
Then, within a few days, a reddish-brown, patchy rash appears, starting on the head or upper neck and then spreading to the rest of the body.
If you suspect you or your child have measles, you should call your GP as soon as possible.
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