Department of Health and Social Care
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Awareness campaign launched as measles rises
Measles vaccination rates are still far lower than levels needed to protect the population. This is despite the finding of a new Department of Health survey that over 90 per cent of parents are aware it is the best way to protect their child.
The findings follow recent estimates that suggest over two million children in England are at risk from the disease because they have missed either their first or second MMR vaccination. And the poll comes as the Department launches a measles awareness campaign.
From August 1st the ‘Measles: Is your child safe?’ roadshow will visit 12 measles hotspots across England to give parents the opportunity to talk with health professionals and get the facts on measles and other childhood illness, including the most effective ways to prevent them.
Though preventable, measles is a highly infectious disease and can be serious. Because it spreads so easily, 95 per cent of the population needs to be vaccinated to prevent outbreaks.
Around one in 15 children who catch measles will develop more serious complications like deafness, meningitis or brain damage. One in 5000 who contract measles die. The year before the MMR vaccine was introduced, 86,000 children caught measles and 16 died.
The roadshow will visit towns with high numbers of children under five who have a low uptake of the MMR vaccination. Liverpool, Warrington, Manchester, Brighton and Guildford are already experiencing measles outbreaks. Other at-risk areas being targeted include: Leeds, Rotherham, Nottingham, Norwich, Ipswich, Reading and Slough.
Professor David Salisbury, Director of Immunisation at the Department of Health said:
“It is great news that the ‘Measles: Is your child safe?’ roadshow is going to be visiting so many towns and cities around the country. The number of cases of measles is on the increase and we need to warn all parents about the potential dangers of this infection. They need to be aware that if their child is not immunised and comes into contact with a child infected with measles, there is around a 90 per cent chance they will catch measles.”
For more information about measles and the MMR vaccine, please visit www.immunisation.nhs/vaccines/mmr
Notes to editors
For further campaign information, please contact the measles press office on 020 7478 7801 or email measlespressoffice@trimediauk.com
The Department of Health press office on 020 7210 5221
Roadshow schedule:
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The survey of 2,002 parents of children under 16 years of age was conducted by ICM online on behalf of the Department of Health from 15th and 19th June 2009.
Health Protection Agency figures for last year indicate there were 1,370 cases of measles last year. The latest figures on measles can be found at:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1195733739623
Measles facts:
- Measles is most common among unvaccinated children and young adults aged one to 18 years and is very infectious. For the past year around 80% measles cases have been in this age group.
- It is a serious disease that can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and can even kill.
- Estimates suggest over two million children in England aged 18 months to 18 years have missed either their first or second MMR vaccination.
- In 1987 (the year before the MMR vaccine was introduced in the UK), 86,000 children caught measles and 16 died. Before the first vaccine was introduced in 1968, there was an average of around 100 deaths each year from measles.
- The only effective and safe way to prevent measles is to be fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, which also protects against mumps and rubella.
- A measles fact sheet can be accessed at: www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/MMR/Resources
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