Rugby Liberal Democrats

Jerry Roodhouse - Measles increase sparks call for parents to consider immunisation

Jerry Roodhouse is calling for families to consider the need for Measles vaccination especially now as Warwickshire is seeing an upward trend I give below a briefing from Warwickshire NHS (PCT) outlining the position.

Warwickshire PCT briefing:

"I have been informed that the main cause of this increase has been the low take up of MMR vaccination, which in Stratford area is 10% lower than the national average and has been of concern to the PCT for the last decade. The main reason for this low take-up has been due to concerns raised about MMR and the suggested increase in the risk of autism amongst children. Further research now indicates that there is no link with MMR and autism.

PCT - Further information on measles

At present we do not know the source of the measles outbreak in South Warwickshire. Given that measles spreads easily, our priority right now is in urging those that have not yet been vaccinated against measles to book their MMR jab. If there are high numbers of unvaccinated children, as there is in South Warwickshire, measles is able to spread quickly and easy. It is spread through coughing and sneezing. Two doses of MMR are needed to fully protect against this nasty illness which can be life-threatening.

There has been an upsurge in measles throughout the West Midlands in November and we are working closely with the Health Protection Agency to stop the spread. This disease is now circulating in the UK and low uptake of the MMR jab means there is no 'herd immunity'. Herd immunity refers to when enough people in a community are immunised against certain diseases, so it is more difficult for that disease to get passed between those who aren't immunised. Since the beginning of November there have been 79 suspected cases in the West Midlands region.

Areas particularly affected are:

Staffordshire: 11 suspected cases

Warwickshire: 40 suspected cases (as of December 1)

Worcestershire: 16 suspected cases

If you require any further information please contact Emma Race, Senior Communications Officer at NHS Warwickshire - Tel: 01926 493491 ext 486 or email: emma.race@warkpct.nhs.uk

"

Measles briefing: December 1 2008

Measles situation in the south of the county

We have been notified of 38 suspected cases of measles in the Stratford locality, predominantly among the under-10s. Last year for the whole of November there were only seven suspected cases of measles so this number is significant.

We would urge all parents to get their child immunised against measles with two doses of the MMR vaccine. The national target is for 95 per cent of children to be immunised with their first MMR jab just after their first birthday, with a second jab for pre-school youngsters.

In Warwickshire the level of immunisation is around 10 per cent below this national target and this is why measles has been able to spread so rapidly amongst unvaccinated children. The MMR vaccine is offered free of charge for all youngsters but some families chose not to have it because of unfounded fears over the vaccine's safety.

MMR is a safe and effective vaccine given to millions of children worldwide and we are keen to promote this message. It is the best way to protect children against measles and also to protect those children suffering from illnesses like childhood cancers which means they cannot be immunised.

Measles can be a life-threatening illness and complications of measles include pneumonia, ear and eye infections, and croup (an infection of the lungs and throat). There are one million deaths worldwide from measles every year. Children under two are most likely to be at risk from complications.

Parents are advised to speak to their GP or practice nurse for advice and information on getting their child vaccinated or visit the website www.immunisation.nhs.uk Alternatively, they can call NHS Direct on

0845 4647.

2 How is NHS Warwickshire dealing with this situation?

Numbers of suspected cases of measles began rising in early November. We have been working with the Health Protection Agency and written to all GPs and schools in the area to inform them of the situation. We continue to work with GPs, schools and nurseries on this issue.

We have run outreach immunisation opportunities in the community and through a sustained media campaign have been providing the public with information on the importance of the MMR vaccine. It is too early to know the impact it has had on MMR take-up but this will be monitored.