<!–
<!–
<!– <!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Almost a million young adults are being invited for an MFR jab in one of the biggest vaccination drives in the history of the NHS.
Part of the so-called ‘Wakefield Generation’, many born in the late 1990s and early 2000s missed out on the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine when they were children.
Now, health authorities are targeting the 19-25-year-olds using pop-up vaccination clinics at universities, sports centers and other public places in areas with ongoing measles outbreaks.
Latest data from the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) shows signs that the outbreak is abating, with 733 cases of measles now confirmed in England.
Your browser does not support iframes.
Experts say the high number is because many parents are not taking their children for the MMR vaccine as a result of now-discredited research conducted by gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield in 1998. Although Wakefield was later struck off the medical register and the paper was retracted by the Lancet , injury means that many who were children at the time were never fully vaccinated
But with infection rates so high, officials worry that numbers could still spiral out of control in areas with low vaccination uptake.
Dr. Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant medical epidemiologist for immunization at the UKHSA, said: ‘Anyone who is not vaccinated against measles can catch it.
“Being unvaccinated also means you risk spreading the disease to others, including those most at risk of becoming seriously ill – such as infants who are unable to receive their MMR vaccine before their first birthday, pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system.
The MMR shot also protects against complications from mumps in young adults. I strongly urge anyone who has not been vaccinated to protect both themselves and the more vulnerable around them.’
From today, more than 900,000 young people in the West Midlands, London and Greater Manchester will be encouraged to get either both or any outstanding doses of the jab.
Measles cases are now at their highest level in more than a decade, with officials launching campaigns to increase uptake of all childhood vaccines as well as catch-up programs
This graph shows how vaccine coverage has significantly reduced measles cases compared to historic peaks, but experts are concerned about falling uptake
Measles cases are now at their highest level in more than a decade, with officials launching campaigns to increase uptake of all childhood vaccines as well as catch-up programs. Cases confirmed through either local or reference laboratory testing. There is a data reporting delay. Source: UKHSA
Cold-like symptoms, such as fever, cough and runny or stuffy nose, are usually the first sign of measles. A few days later, some people develop small white spots on the inside of their cheeks and on the back of their lips. The telltale measles rash also develops, usually starting on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body
Experts say the high number is because many parents are not taking their children for the MMR vaccine as a result of now-discredited research conducted by gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield in 1998.
Although Wakefield was later struck off the medical register and the paper retracted by the Lancet, the damage meant that many who were children at the time were never fully vaccinated.
Measles cases are now at their highest level in more than a decade, with officials launching campaigns to increase uptake of all childhood vaccines as well as catch-up programs.
Steve Russell, NHS Director of Vaccinations and Screening, said: ‘Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world and can cause serious harm to adults and children of all ages.
‘But the NHS MMR vaccine gives lifelong protection against becoming seriously ill, so with cases of measles on the rise, it’s not worth the risk of going without this vital protection.
“Measles, mumps and rubella are preventable, but it’s easy to catch them when people are unvaccinated, so I encourage people to come forward and get the MMR vaccine sooner rather than later.”