Anyone who has not had the MMR vaccination is ‘highly likely’ to catch measles.
Parents across Merton are being urged to check their children have had the MMR jab after it was revealed the borough has the lowest uptake of the vaccine in the country.
More than 800 people have contracted the infection in South Wales, and a post-mortem is to be carried out this week to discover whether 25-year-old Gareth Williams died as a direct result of the disease.
To improve protection levels to around 90%, the vaccination requires two doses, one at 12 months and the other at around three years four months. Those who have not had both, including parents, teenagers and adults, should see their nurse to ensure they are fully immunised.
“We take the health and well being of our children and young people very seriously, and the transfer of public health to the borough will help us encourage and support the take up of all vaccinations by parents,” said Merton Council cabinet member for children’s services Councillor Maxi Martin.
Anyone who is unsure whether their children have had both jabs can check with their GP.
“Thankfully we’ve not had a measles outbreak in Merton, and let’s hope we don’t,” said Conservative Deputy Leader and Health Scrutiny Chair Councillor Suzanne Evans.
“However the harsh fact remains that as we have one of the lowest levels of uptake of the MMR vaccine, we are clearly at high risk.”
This Friday (26 April), a consultant nurse in Primary Care will be in the Civic Centre reception to give advice and answer any questions about immunisations.
The initiative is part of European Immunisation Week, and will take place from 9am-11am.
Photo courtesy of National Cancer Institute via Wiki Commons, with thanks.
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