Increase in measles infections prompts vaccine call

Five ‘pop-up’ MMR vaccination clinics have been organised in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire in response to rising cases of measles.

Outbreaks of measles have been reported across the country and people who are not vaccinated, are not protected against this infection which can cause serious health problems.

Measles is an infection that spreads very easily, especially in nurseries and schools if children are not vaccinated. It can be a very unpleasant illness. In some children measles can be very serious, leading to hospitalisation and in rare cases can tragically cause death.

All children are offered an MMR vaccination at 1 year of age and a second dose as a pre-school booster at three years, four months old. Both doses are needed for maximum protection.

If your child isn’t vaccinated, they’re not protected.

In response to rising cases, the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) in partnership with Stoke City Council, is hosting pop-up MMR vaccination clinics open to anyone who is not up to date with their MMR vaccinations.

Clinics are taking place on the following days:

• Wednesday 3rd April – Tunstall Family Hub, ST6 5PH – 9:30am – 3:30pm

• Friday 5th April – Stoke Library, ST4 4SZ – 9:30am – 3:30pm

• Saturday 6th April – Dimensions Leisure Centre, ST6 4ET – 9:30am – 3:30pm

• Saturday 13th April – Burton Fire Station, DE14 3SU – 10am – 2pm

• Thursday 18th April – Burton Fire Station, DE14 3SU – 3pm – 6pm 

Matthew Missen, Consultant Public Health at NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICT, said: “We’re asking all parents and carers to check their child’s Red Book to see if their children have missed any vaccines or they can check with their GP practice if they’re unsure.

“If any doses have been missed, or if no MMR vaccines have been given, we’re urging parents to bring their children along to one of our pop-up clinics to get them vaccinated. You don’t need to make an appointment.

“There are lots of celebrations at this time of year where families and friends will be mixing including Ramadan, Easter, and Eid al-Fitr. It’s important that people are protected during these times of social gathering.

“Most children in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are vaccinated, but a few may have missed vaccinations for many reasons – these clinics are an extra opportunity to bring vaccinations up to date. Measles can be really serious, and vaccination offers a high level of protection against a potentially dangerous disease.”

The MMR vaccine is an injection into the upper arm and non-porcine-containing vaccines are available on request for cultural or religious reasons. The vaccine is free on the NHS.

More information on MMR vaccine is available online here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine/