Page updated: 19 Aug 2010
Parents urged to vaccinate children as measles cases spread
Measles cases are being reported across Greater Manchester, so Trafford parents are being urged to protect their children by vaccinating them with MMR.
One confirmed case of the infection has already been reported in Trafford. Measles is a highly infectious disease so it is important that children are protected against it.
Martin Samangaya is NHS Trafford’s immunisation co-ordinator. He explained: “Currently, about 92 per cent of Trafford two-year-olds have their first MMR jab but only 89 per cent have their booster which is given as part of the pre-school booster. It’s this booster that provides long term immunity so it’s important that children are given both injections.
“We aim to get at least 95 per cent of the population vaccinated to provide ‘herd immunity’, which is where enough of the population is protected to ensure that the disease cannot reach those unable to be vaccinated, for example, if their immune system is suppressed by illness or medical treatments.”
Last year, an outbreak in central and eastern Cheshire saw about 160 primary school age children get the measles infection. Recently there have been a number of cases across Greater Manchester, with measles infections reported in Salford and the Stockport area. Further cases have been reported in Wilmslow, Wigan and Bolton, in children who have had none, or only one, MMR vaccination.
“Worldwide, there are also outbreaks in France, Ireland, eastern Europe, and southern Africa, so unimmunised children going on holiday to these areas are at risk,” added Martin. “Measles doesn’t have any boundaries – it will travel as it is a highly infectious disease so it is really important that children are protected.
“Because there have been very few measles outbreaks in the UK in recent years, there is a perception that it is not a serious illness, but measles can be a very nasty infection and it does kill children around the world.”
Martin is working with GPs and practice nurses to encourage parents who have not had their children vaccinated to return to clinics and get the MMR jab. He is setting up a series of dedicated three hour Saturday morning ‘drop-in’ immunisation clinics for MMR and other childhood vaccinations from September.
The clinics will alternately take place at Mitford Street Clinic in Stretford and Chapel Road Clinic in Sale. The first clinics will take place on:
Measles symptoms include a fever, irritability, cold-like symptoms including a running nose, sore and runny eyes, dry ‘croupy’ cough, white spots on the gums (second and third day), rash (third or fourth day) starting on the face and behind the ears, then spreading down the body.
If your child displays any of these, and has not had both MMR injections, contact your GP immediately. We would also urge parents not to send their children to playgroup, nursery or school for 4 days from the onset of the rash.