MMR vaccine plea to parents

Jun 4 2009 Chester Chronicle

THE Health Protection Agency North West has renewed its plea to parents to protect their children with two doses of MMR vaccine after 40 cases of measles and 276 cases of mumps were confirmed in the region in the first three months of this year.

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, the agency’s immunisation lead for Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “We’re still seeing a lot of measles and mumps in many parts of the region and the only way we’re going to eliminate these infections is by working with parents, schools, universities and other further education institutions to encourage MMR uptake.

“Every child should be vaccinated at 13 months and given a booster before going to school.

“Thankfully, these uptake rates are continuing to rise, but we still have large numbers of older children and teenagers who missed out on vaccination at the appropriate age. That’s why we’re seeing so many cases of mumps in teenagers and young adults.

“My message is that it is not too late to be vaccinated. Anyone up to the age of 18 who has not previously had two doses of MMR vaccine should arrange it now through their family doctor.”