IS YOUR child protected against measles?
Today, the Grimsby Telegraph can reveal the North Yorkshire and Humber Health Protection Team (NYHHPT) has confirmed there have been two suspected cases of the potentially fatal condition in North East Lincolnshire, between January and March this year – although neither had been laboratory confirmed.
The news comes after the shocking death of Swansea man Gareth Williams, 25, of suspected measles late last week, following an epidemic of the disease in the Welsh city.
And now, following the launch of the appropriately-timed European Immunisation Week, health chiefs in North East Lincolnshire are more anxious than ever to ensure all those living in the area are protected.
Figures released by Dr Terry Matthews, consultant in communicable disease control for the NYHHPT show the uptake for the vaccine in the borough is higher than the average for England and Wales, with 96.8 per cent of children receiving one dose by the age of 24 months, compared to 92.4 per cent.
The number of children having one dose of the vaccine by the age of five is even higher, with 98.2 per cent receiving it locally, compared to the 94.1 per cent average and the number of children receiving the full two doses required for immunisation by five years old is 95.1 per cent locally, compared to the 88.1 per cent average.
Dr Matthews said: "Once measles begins to circulate in communities, the illness spreads very easily and children and young adults who are not fully protected with the MMR vaccine are susceptible. This is why it is important for families to check their children are up-to-date with their MMR immunisations now.
"It is important children and young adults receive two doses to ensure they are fully protected from the disease. This is a highly effective, safe vaccine. MMR vaccination can be given later on if missed at the scheduled ages."
The first MMR vaccination is given aged between 12 and 13 months and the second dose is given before children reach school age, around 3 and a half years. Babies under the age of one are more vulnerable to the measles infection as they are too young to have had the immunisation and be protected that way. Therefore, it is especially important that any older children have had both doses of the MMR so they do not put babies at risk by catching the virus. The initial symptoms of measles may include: Cold-like symptoms; Red eyes; Fever and greyish white spots in the mouth and throat; After a few days a red-brown spotty rash will appear. It usually starts behind the ears, then spreads around the head and neck before spreading to the legs and the rest of the body. Dr Terry Matthews, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for the NYHHPT said: "As measles is extremely infectious, anyone who is affected by symptoms of measles in the community at any time should not go straight to the hospital A&E department or to a GP surgery. "Instead, advice should be sought from GPs by telephone so that arrangements to attend surgery can be made to prevent spreading infection to others. "It is very important that anyone affected by symptoms stays at home until at least five days after the rash starts, to avoid infecting others." For more information on measles go to http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx
