Wirral health chiefs urge parents to have children vaccinated as measles epidemic looms

Dec 3 2008 by Sue McCann, Birkenhead News

AS the UK hovers on the brink of a measles epidemic, public health officials in Wirral are urging parents to get their children vaccinated with two doses of MMR without delay.

Wirral Primary Care Trust confirmed that 500 two-year-olds have no protection from the virus, and that about 600 children aged five and about 7,000 children up to the age of 16 are not fully protected.

The national measles figures for 2008 to date - published this week - are at their highest level for 13 years.

Only 85% of Wirral two-year-olds have been vaccinated with MMR, which protects against measles.

Children should receive their first vaccination at around 13 months, followed by a second dose at around three-and-a-half.

Marie Armitage, joint director of public health, said parents should not underestimate the risks associated with measles.

She said: “It can cause complications such as convulsions and meningitis and on rare occasions, can kill.

“If your child has had no or only one MMR vaccination, then speak to your GP practice. It is not too late to take your child to be vaccinated so that they are fully protected against measles and we would encourage your child to have the MMR.”