Tragic death from measles prompts vaccination reminder to families

Parents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been alerted to the risk of measles, following reports this weekend that a child has sadly died of the disease in Liverpool.

With many families set to travel far and wide for the summer holidays, doctors have reminded parents that they can protect their children with the safe and effective MMR vaccination.

Catch-up vaccination sessions are available throughout July across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, with more dates (covering the rest of the summer holidays and beyond) due to be published this week.  Dates, times and booking details (where applicable) are available online.  A mix of bookable and drop-in sessions is on offer.

Vaccination rates in some parts of the local area have remained low in recent years, but it’s not too late to make sure your children have the protection they need against a range of potentially serious illnesses.  It is recommended that children receive the MMR vaccine in two doses – one at around 12 months and the second at around three years and four months – but a vaccination delivered later than this offers the same protection.

Dr Andrew Rochford, chief medical director at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“Measles is a highly infectious disease which, as we have sadly seen this week, can cause death or serious, lifelong complications.  The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and it protects against measles, mumps and rubella which are all dangerous, highly infectious illnesses.

“There are lots of reasons why your child may not be up to date on their MMR or other immunisations.  We know that some families couldn’t attend routine appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic, and have not yet caught up.

“We also know that parents sometimes change their minds, particularly after a tragic case brings home the potential consequences of preventable diseases, so even if you previously chose not to have your child vaccinated, the opportunity is still there.

“The summer holidays and the first few weeks back at school in the autumn are notoriously bad for infectious diseases, as many families return from visiting other parts of the UK or overseas.  As well as preventing a serious illness, you can make sure your child doesn’t fall behind in the new school year from an avoidable sickness absence.

“The NHS offers over a dozen routine immunisation programmes for children under the age of five, but there is a recommended schedule up to the teenage years.  You can check all of your child’s vaccinations in their personal child health record (red book).”

“If you’re pregnant and have never been vaccinated, you can also receive a vaccination which will protect you and your baby.”

You can find out more about the complications of measles and get answers to many questions you may have about both the infection and the vaccination on the NHS website.