PHA In Public Appeal To Vaccinate Against MMR

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is raising awareness of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine through a new social media video.

The campaign comes after a recent measles outbreak in Europe. The disease has continued to circulate due to lower levels of MMR vaccine uptake in children and young people in some countries.

Anyone who has not received their two doses of the jab, especially those travelling to France, Italy, Greece, Romania, England and the Republic of Ireland where there are currently large outbreaks of measles, is at a particularly high risk.

Dr Jenny Mack, Specialty Registrar in Public Health at the PHA, said: "Measles is one of the most infectious viral diseases known. It spreads either through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when the patient coughs or sneezes.

"It causes high fever and rash that usually passes in about seven to ten days without causing further problems, but it can also be very serious, with some people developing complications, such as infections of the ears, lungs (pneumonia) and brain (encephalitis).

"Unfortunately, people can die from measles. The video aims to highlight the signs and symptoms and inform that the safest and most effective way to prevent measles is to ensure you are fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine."

The initial symptoms of measles include:

• A runny or blocked nose

• Sneezing

• Sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light

• A high temperature (fever)

• A cough.

A few days after the onset of initial symptoms, a red-brown blotchy rash will appear. This can start on the head or upper neck, before spreading outwards to the rest of the body.

The disease is highly infectious, and the PHA has stressed that anyone affected should avoid situations where it may spread, such as in GP or A&E waiting rooms.

The vaccine is available free of charge. Children should receive it just after their first birthday and have a second dose at age three and four months. Anyone who is unsure if they are fully vaccinated should check with their GP practice.

"If you haven't had your kids vaccinated, contact your GP surgery to make arrangements for them to get the MMR and help to provide them and those around them with the best protection," Dr Mack continued.

"The MMR vaccine has proven to be a safe and effective way to help protect against measles, mumps and rubella. In the fifty years since the first measles vaccine was introduced in the UK it is estimated that 20 million measles cases and 4,500 deaths have been averted.

"Thanks to the high proportion of people in Northern Ireland making the positive decision to get the MMR vaccine over the past decades, cases of these three illnesses here have fallen significantly. However, these diseases have not gone away and some countries are experiencing outbreaks of measles.

"Until measles is eliminated globally we will continue to see imported cases of measles across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Ensuring your children have had two doses of the MMR vaccine will give them the best protection here and when travelling abroad."

The new video can be viewed here.



(JG/CM)