Skip to main content

Reminder to check your child's MMR status

Two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles.

Parents and guardians are being reminded of the importance of their children having two doses of the MMR vaccination.

Public Health Wales has declared an outbreak of measles in the Gwent area and is urging parents and guardians to check their child’s MMR status.

Measles normally starts with cold like symptoms including runny eyes and a high temperature. The rash normally develops after 3-4 days, most commonly starting around the hairline.

Here are some of the important reasons that children should have both doses of their MMR vaccination:

  • Two doses of the MMR vaccine provides lifelong protection and it’s never too late to catch up on missed doses. The first MMR dose given at 12-13 months of age and the second at 3 years and 4 months.
  • There is no specific treatment for measles. Treatment offered can only help alleviate symptoms.
  • Measles can be a very serious disease and cause severe, even life-threatening, complications.
  • The most common complications of measles include pneumonia, ear infection, diarrhoea and convulsions.
  • Complications are more common among children under 5 years of age.
  • Measles is highly infectious; one case of Measles can infect 9 out of 10 of unvaccinated close contacts.
  • The incubation period is around 10 days for Measles (range 7 to 21 days).
  • The infectious period begins just before the onset of symptoms, normally 3-4 days before the rash appears, and lasts up to 4 days after the onset of the rash.
  • 95% uptake of two doses of MMR is needed to prevent Measles outbreaks in our communities. In Wales currently 88.5% of children by aged five have had both MMR doses.

If you or your child have measles symptoms you should -

  • Seek medical advice by calling NHS 111 Wales or visiting 111.wales.nhs.uk
  • Make sure you alert healthcare settings of symptoms such as a rash or fever, before attending any appointment.
  • Individuals who think they have measles should not attend work, school, nursery or other childcare settings, until full 4 days after onset of rash and only once fully recovered

To find out further information on the MMR vaccination, including how to check your vaccination status in your local area visit Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) - Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)

 

 

 

16/04/2024