Add MMR to your back to school checklist

The county's Cabinet Members for Health and Wellbeing, and Education are keen to reassure parents that their children can still have the MMR jab, even if they've missed their first or second dose.  

While Worcestershire has one of the best rates for uptake, some children who haven’t had their MMR could be at risk of getting this serious illness.  

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are given to make sure we have the best protection from measles.  

The first dose is given at 12 months of age and the second dose is given at three years and four months, before starting school. For anybody who did not receive the full vaccination course, your own GP will be able to provide a catch up MMR vaccination. 

The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against three serious illnesses: Measles, Mumps and Rubella.  

Overall, Worcestershire has an excellent uptake of the MMR vaccine; for 5 year olds, the county shows as having an uptake of 96.4% (1 dose) and 91.3% (2 doses).  The 1 dose figure is joint highest in the West Midlands region and the 2 dose uptake is the outright highest in the region. 

Councillor Karen May, Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing said: "We are delighted that 90% of Worcestershire children are protected by the MMR but for those who haven’t had it, it’s never too late to catch up. Parents or guardians of children who are not up to date with their two doses of MMR vaccine can still contact their GP practice to book an appointment. 

"Adults who have never previously had the MMR vaccine or have only had one dose should contact their GP surgery to arrange to catch up with outstanding doses. We’re really proud that our vaccination rates are so high in Worcestershire, but where possible we’d like for them to be even higher, and ensure as many residents as possible are protected."  

Councillor Tracey Onslow, Cabinet Member for Education, added: “The MMR vaccine protects not only the children having it but their parents and those in the wider community. Measles is a very infectious viral illness and if an individual catches measles they will probably feel very poorly and be off school or work for around 10 days, but it can also be much more serious. So could I urge all parents to get their children vaccinated.”

Having the vaccine protects not only the child but also reduces the spread of the disease. This relies on as many people as possible being vaccinated and is why Public Health experts in the county are keen to continue to encourage all children to be vaccinated.

Measles is a very infectious viral illness that is spread by coughs and sneezes. It usually starts with cold-like symptoms which can include a high temperature, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a cough, sore red eyes and a rash. It spreads very quickly to non-immune children and adults who are unvaccinated or have not previously been infected.

If anyone has symptoms of measles, please stay at home and phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice. Do not go to GP surgeries or A & E departments so the illness isn’t spread to others.

For more information on measles and the MMR vaccine please visit the Measles pages of the NHS website.