Chief Medical Officer Urges Urgent Action to Increase Measles Vaccination Rates in Wales
In a recent plea for urgent action, Sir Frank Atherton, the Chief Medical Officer of Wales, has called for an increase in measles vaccination rates among children. Sir Frank warns that unless there is a significant improvement in the uptake of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, outbreaks of the disease could become more frequent. He emphasizes the importance of parents arranging vaccinations for their children as soon as possible if they are not already fully vaccinated.
The World Health Organization recommends that 95% of children should be double vaccinated with the MMR vaccine by the age of five. However, both Wales and the UK as a whole fall below this target. Recent figures show that only 89.5% of five-year-old children in Wales have received both doses of the vaccine, while the UK average stands at 84.5% – the lowest level since 2010-11.
Measles outbreaks have been reported across the UK in recent months, with areas such as Cardiff and Birmingham being particularly affected. Birmingham Children’s Hospital reported its highest number of cases in decades in January. Measles is a highly infectious disease that spreads rapidly among the unvaccinated, especially in settings like nurseries and schools. To combat this, health boards in Wales have been asked to target pupils in every school to boost immunization levels.
The MMR vaccination is routinely offered in two separate courses. The first dose is given when a child is one year old, and the second dose is administered at three years and four months. After receiving both doses, 99% of people are protected against measles and rubella, while 88% are protected against mumps.
Common symptoms of measles include a high fever, sore and red eyes, coughing, sneezing, and the appearance of small white spots inside the mouth. A blotchy red or brown rash typically appears after a few days, starting on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body. While measles usually clears up within seven to 10 days, complications can arise, including pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, and seizures. Babies and young children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk.
Sir Frank Atherton emphasizes the importance of protecting children from the potentially severe consequences of measles. He urges parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated and to arrange for vaccination as soon as possible if they are not. It is worth noting that babies under the age of one cannot receive the vaccine, making it even more crucial for eligible individuals to be fully vaccinated and help prevent the spread of measles, particularly to the youngest children.
To address this pressing issue, all health boards in Wales have been instructed to take immediate action to ensure that 90% of pupils in every school are fully vaccinated by the end of July. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Chris Jones warns that in the event of an outbreak, unvaccinated or under-vaccinated students and staff may be required to isolate for up to 21 days to prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease. Public Health Wales, the NHS, and the Welsh government will be working closely together to develop further plans to boost MMR uptake levels in the coming months.
The urgency of increasing measles vaccination rates in Wales cannot be overstated. It is crucial for parents and guardians to prioritize their children’s health by ensuring they receive the necessary vaccinations. By doing so, we can protect our youngest children from the potentially devastating effects of measles and work towards eliminating this preventable disease from our communities.
