OnMedica – News – New advocacy for MMR vaccination as cases increase

795 cases of mumps and 231 measles in the first quarter of 2019

Public health experts urge the public to ensure that their children have received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine from their medical office.

Public Health England (PHE) today issued a new plea: it published 791 new cases of mumps in England in the first quarter of this year (January to March 2019), compared to 1,024 in the United Kingdom. Whole country. 2018.

In addition, 231 new confirmed cases of measles were reported between January and March of this year, compared to 90 cases in the last three months of 2018, although the figures for the first quarter of this year are slightly lower than in the same quarter in 2018, with 265 cases. .

No new cases of rubella have been reported.

PHE explained that since measles is highly contagious, anyone who has not received two doses of MMR vaccine is at risk, especially unvaccinated persons traveling to countries currently undergoing major measles outbreaks.

The recent cases of measles occur mainly in under-vaccinated communities, said PHE, especially those with links to other countries in which measles outbreaks are ongoing.

Some have also spread to the general population, such as those who may have missed the MMR vaccine when they were younger.

The agency said that she wanted all parents to vaccinate their children when the MMR vaccine was offered, or that they now take it if they did not have it at home. the scheduled time.

In the last quarter of 2018, 94.9% of eligible five-year-olds received the first dose of MMR. To achieve collective immunity against measles, at least 90-95% of the population must be fully protected.

One dose of MMR vaccine is about 90-95% effective in measles prevention. After a second dose, the level of protection is approximately 99%.

Currently, coverage for the second dose is 87.4% for five-year-olds.

Dr. Mary Ramsay, head of immunization at ESP, said, "Measles can kill and it's incredibly easy to catch, especially if you're not vaccinated. Even a child who misses his vaccine is one too many – if you have any doubts about your child's immunization status, ask your GP because it's never too late to be protected.

"There are outbreaks of measles in Europe, so if you intend to travel, be sure to consult your doctor and catch up if necessary. We continue to work with NHS England on ways to make it as easy as possible for parents to get vaccinated so that they can offer their children the best possible start in life. "

Seema Kennedy, Minister of Public Health, said, "More than 30 years ago, we introduced the MMR vaccine and since then our leading immunization program would have avoided 1.8 million painful and potentially fatal cases of measles.

"The vaccine has been a huge catapult to improve the health of children and youth, and is still. No child or young person should suffer from mumps, measles or rubella, and we must stop this recent increase in the number of cases so that we do not experience a return from the horrible diseases of the past. By taking the MMR vaccine, parents and young people can prevent more cases and I would like to urge everyone to do so.

* Measles, mumps and rubella: confirmed laboratory cases in England in 2019. Public Health England (24 May 2019).