Make sure you and your loved ones are protected as measles cases rise

The vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting against measles, as well as mumps and rubella.

It’s important for parents to take up the offer of MMR vaccination for their children when it’s offered at one year of age and as a pre-school booster at three years, four months.

If children and adults have missed these vaccinations in the past, they should take up the vaccine now from their GP, especially in the light of the recent rise in cases.

Parents are advised to check their child’s Personal Child Health Record (known as the ‘Red Book’) to see if they’ve their received MMR vaccinations as scheduled, or contact their GP surgery if they are unsure.

Most healthy adults will have developed some immunity to measles but can still receive two doses of the vaccine from their GP too.

Craig Blundred

Craig Blundred, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “Measles spreads easily among people who are unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools, and can be a very unpleasant illness.

“In some children it can be very serious and lead to hospitalisation, and, tragically, in rare cases it can be fatal.

“People in certain at-risk groups including babies and young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immunity are at increased risk of complications.

“The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccination.

“It’s never too late to catch up. The MMR vaccine is free on the NHS whatever your age.

“Call your GP practice to book an appointment – and help keep measles out of Hartlepool.”

For more information about measles, visit www.nhs.uk and search for measles.