Wales’ Chief Medical Officer – Sir Frank Atherton – is calling on
parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated against
measles and are up to date with their other childhood
immunisations.
Outbreaks of measles could become more frequent in Wales unless
urgent action is taken to increase Measles, Mumps and Rubella
(MMR) vaccination across the country.
Sir Frank is warning that it is essential that uptake of a full
course (2 doses) of the MMR vaccine is increased to 95%, the
target set by the World Health Organisation, to protect Welsh
communities from a potentially devastating outbreak.
Measles spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated,
especially in nurseries and schools. Children who contract the
disease can become very unwell and, in some cases, measles can
lead to hospitalisation and in rare cases, tragically
death.
People in certain at-risk groups including babies and young
children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity, are
at increased risk of complications from measles.
MMR is part of the Routine Childhood Immunisation Programme
– with one dose offered when a child is one year old and another
second dose at 3 years 4 months.
Parents whose infants missed out, or anyone of any age who has
not yet had a vaccine, are urged to come forward. The
free MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way of
protecting against measles, as well as mumps and rubella.
With Whooping Cough cases also on the rise in Wales, Sir Frank is
encouraging all pregnant women and parents of young babies and
children to ensure they’ve had their Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
vaccinations.
Although Whooping Cough is a vaccine preventable disease, it is
highly contagious, with babies under 6 months being the most at
risk.
Sir Frank said:
“We need to ensure that those at risk in our communities are
protected against potentially life-threatening viral infections
like measles and whooping cough.
Measles can cause children to become very ill and some who
contract it will suffer life changing complications. Parents can
protect their children by checking they are fully vaccinated and
where they are not, arranging for vaccination as soon as
possible.
Babies under the age of one, cannot receive the vaccine. It
is therefore essential that all those who are eligible, are fully
vaccinated. This will help stop the spread of measles and
will help protect our youngest children”.
The Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr has written to all health
boards asking them to take urgent action to ensure at least 90%
of students in every school in Wales is fully vaccinated by 31
July 2024. This targeted intervention will complement MMR
catch-up work already being undertaken by health boards.
Dr Jones said:
“In the event of an outbreak, students and staff who are
unvaccinated or under vaccinated could be asked to isolate for up
to 21 days to stop the spread of this very virulent
disease.
We know how disruptive this can be to the education and wellbeing
of our young people and we must do everything possible to avoid
it”.
Public Health Wales, the NHS and the Welsh Government will be
working closely on further plans to boost MMR uptake levels in
the coming months".
Notes to editors
Information on how to check your child’s vaccination
status or arrange to be vaccinated is available on your local
health board website.
