"We urge parents to check that their children are up to date with all their childhood vaccines. This can be done by checking their child’s red book, or by contacting their GP surgery.”
There has recently been a rise in measles cases in the UK due to a decrease in uptake of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. The vaccine offers protection against measles, mumps and rubella – but can also help prevent cases of viral meningitis, which can be a complication of measles and mumps.
Meningitis Now are calling for parents to urgently check their child’s vaccine status and to ensure their own vaccines are up to date so they are better protected from the disease. Additionally, we want to make sure everyone knows the warning signs and symptoms of meningitis, so that you can act quickly if you’re concerned.
Claire Donovan, Helpline and Information Nurse Manager at Meningitis Now says,
“Measles can make some children very ill, but it can be prevented through vaccination. The MMR vaccine offers protection against measles, mumps and rubella. The MMR vaccine can also help to prevent cases of viral meningitis, which can be a complication of both measles and mumps. We urge parents to check that their children are up to date with all their childhood vaccines. This can be done by checking their child’s red book, or by contacting their GP surgery.”
Before the MMR vaccine was introduced, mumps used to be one of the most common causes of viral meningitis in children under five. We are urging parents to follow the advice of healthcare professionals and ensure their children are up to date with their vaccinations.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has declared a national incident in the rise of measles in the UK caused by a decrease in uptake of the MMR vaccine and the UK Government has warned that further outbreaks of measles will spread to other towns and cities unless urgent action is taken to increase MMR vaccination uptake.
Meningitis can affect anyone of any age and in the most serious cases can be life threatening. Meningitis can cause long-term after-effects, including brain injury, loss of limbs and hearing loss.
The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting against measles, as well as mumps and rubella. Over 99% of those who have two doses of the MMR vaccine will be protected against measles and rubella.
If you are a parent who is unsure of the schedule for vaccinations, or if your child has missed any vaccines, you should contact their GP surgery to arrange a catch up.
For further information about viral meningitis visit this page, and for further details on meningitis vaccinations visit this page.
For information about the signs and symptoms of meningitis click here.
