MMR and MEASELS OUTBREAK IN NORTH WEST LONDON

As of the 08 June 2023, the NW London Health Protection Team (UKHSA) have confirmed at
least 80 cases of measles in North West London.
These cases are predominately in children who live in Hillingdon, Harrow, Hounslow and
Brent. They are either not vaccinated with MMR or their vaccination status is unknown.
Please check your child’s red book to confirm they have received 2 doses of MMR vaccine
which are usually given at 12 months and 3yrs, 4 months (preschool booster). If they have
not received both doses OR you are unsure, please call the surgery to book an appointment
with our Practice Nurse.

Frequently asked questions: Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR):

What is the MMR vaccine?
The vaccine, protecting against measles, mumps and rubella is part of the routine childhood
immunisations that are given to your child to protect them from a range of diseases.

When should my child have the MMR vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is usually given when your child is a year old, with a booster given when
they are three years and four months old.

I don’t know if my child has had their jabs – how can I check?
You can check your child’s personal child health record; you might know it as the “red
book”. Most people are given it when their baby is born. If you don’t know where yours is
don’t worry, make contact with your GP team and ask to know which vaccinations your child
has received in the practice.

My child has missed their jabs – is it too late?
It’s never too late to catch up on these important vaccinations – you can still ask your GP
surgery for the MMR vaccine if your child has missed either of these two doses.

Why do we vaccinate?
After clean water, vaccination is the most effective public health intervention. Vaccines
protect you and your child from many serious and potentially deadly diseases. They
undergo rigorous safety testing before being introduced and they’re also constantly
monitored for side effects after being introduced. All medicines and vaccines in use in the
UK have been approved by the UK’s independent regulator.
Thanks to vaccines, some diseases that used to kill or disable millions of people are seen
very rarely. However, if people stop having vaccines, it’s possible for infectious diseases to
quickly spread again.

Do I have to vaccinate my child? How serious are measles, mumps and rubella?
As many people in this country have been vaccinated with the MMR it can be easy to forget
what it was like to have these illnesses or to see children with them. They are all highly
infectious and can spread easily between unvaccinated people.

What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some
people may also get small spots in their mouth. Measles can lead to serious problems if it
spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain. If you catch measles when
you are pregnant, it can harm your baby.

What are the symptoms of mumps?
Mumps is most recognisable by the painful swellings in the side of the face under the
ears. It usually passes without causing serious damage to a person’s health. Serious
complications are rare, but mumps can lead to viral meningitis if the virus moves into the
outer layer of the brain.
Other complications include swelling of the testicles or ovaries (if the affected person
has gone through puberty).

What are the symptoms of Rubella?

Rubella (German measles) is a rare illness that causes a spotty rash. It usually gets better in about a week, but it can be serious if you get it when you’re pregnant. The good news is that your children and any pregnant people can be protected from these illnesses and their complications safely and easily by having the MMR vaccination.

Will the vaccine hurt my child?

The health care professionals giving the vaccinations are expert at doing this. They know how to make your child as comfortable as possible and will help you in the consultation.

If you have any questions at all about it please talk to a trusted healthcare professional like a health visitor, school nurse, GP nurse or GP.

For more information on the MMR vaccine please visit nhs.uk/MMR