MMR jab catch-up programme launched

Parents whose children are not fully vaccinated will shortly be receiving a letter from the PCT inviting them to contact their GP practice to arrange an appointment.

If parents have any concerns about whether their child is fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine they should contact their GP practice.

To fully vaccinate as many children as possible with both doses, the MMR catch-up programme in Westminster PCT is offering parents the choice of an accelerated schedule for the MMR vaccine.

This means that currently unimmunised children can be fully vaccinated within a few months.

The risk is greatest in children who have received no MMR vaccine.

However, children who have only received one dose of MMR vaccine need a second dose of the vaccine to ensure they are fully protected.

Children aged 13 to 18 months can have the two injections with a three month gap between the two doses.

Children over 18 months can have the two injections with a one month gap between the two doses.

This offers your child the greatest protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

The normal schedule for the MMR vaccine gives one dose at 13 months followed by a second at 3 years 4 months.

The catch-up campaign is targeting unimmunised and partially immunised children aged from 13 months to 18 years.

Nationally, the Department of Health is making extra vaccine and more funds available to help local health trusts put in place a programme to fully vaccinate with 2 doses every child aged 13 months to 18 years.

Due to low take up of the vaccination there is genuine fear of a measles epidemic, and some parts of London are already experiencing rising numbers of cases.

A total of 1,496 cases of measles were reported in London between 1st January and 5th July 2008.

Dr Adrian Brown, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, said: "In Westminster although we have only had 23 reported cases of measles in the past year we are facing a high risk of a disease outbreak.

"Other nearby London boroughs have had over a hundred cases so it is vital action is taken promptly.

"Measles can be dangerous and cause complications such as pneumonia and brain damage.

"Until 2006 there had been no deaths in England from the disease but sadly since then two people have died.

"Our message in Westminster is to check whether your child has been fully vaccinated with your GP and book an appointment urgently if vaccination is incomplete".

Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known. A cough or sneeze can easily spread the disease.

Because it is so infectious, the chances are if a child is in contact with the virus and not protected they will get measles.

In Westminster, at least 30 per cent of children are not fully vaccinated against measles with both doses of the MMR vaccine.

Westminster PCT encourages parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated with both doses of the MMR vaccine.

The combined MMR vaccine has been shown to provide the best protection against measles as well as protection against mumps and rubella (German Measles) which can have particularly serious consequences in young adults.

There is more information about MMR and other childhood immunisations at www.immunisation.nhs.uk