Immunisations
Cases of Measles are on the rise, there has been a recent outbreak and we recommend our patients to get Vaccinated
Please see attached posters on how to stay safe:
Measles STOP THE SPREAD
https://publichealthengland-immunisati.app.box.com/s/mgppw733nelj3s4mtk8n13tsauznl691
Measles_poster_English.pdf Measles_symptoms_leaflet_English.pdf PHE_Measles_outbreak_A4_poster_for_GP_surgery_reception.pdf
Protecting against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
Measles
Measles is caused by a very infectious virus. Nearly everyone who catches it will have a high fever, a rash and generally be unwell.
The complications of measles include chest infections, fits (seizures), encephalitis (infection of the brain), and brain damage. In very serious cases, measles can kill.
Mumps
Mumps is caused by a virus which can lead to fever, headache, and painful, swollen glands in the face, neck and jaw. It can result in permanent deafness, viral meningitis and encephalitis (inflammation and swelling of the brain).
Rubella
Rubella (German measles) is a disease caused by a virus. In children it is usually mild and can go unnoticed. But, rubella in pregnancy is very serious for unborn babies. It can seriously damage their sight, hearing, heart and brain. This condition is called congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).
The MMR vaccine
It contains weakened versions of live measles, mumps and rubella viruses. Because the viruses are weakened, people who have had the vaccine cannot infect other people. In the UK we have 2 MMR vaccines. Both work very well, one contains porcine gelatine and the other doesn’t. If you want your child to have the porcine gelatine-free vaccine, discuss it with your practice nurse or GP.
You can view the MMR vaccine Patient Information Leaflets at:
The MMR vaccine is the safest way to protect your child against measles, mumps and rubella.
How and when the vaccine is given
The vaccine is injected into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm. It is given at one year of age after the immunity the baby got from their mother fades. A second dose of the vaccine should be given again before your child starts school at around 3 years and 4 months of age.
Effectiveness of the MMR vaccine
MMR vaccine has been responsible for almost wiping out these 3 diseases in young children since it was introduced in the UK in 1988.
Side effects of the MMR vaccine
The 3 different viruses in the vaccine act at different times and may produce the following side effects after the first dose:
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6 to 10 days after immunisation, as the measles part of the vaccine starts to work, about 1 in 10 children may develop a fever and some may develop a mild measles-like rash and go off their food
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about 1 in every 1,000 immunised children may have a fit caused by a fever – this is called a ‘febrile convulsion’; however, children who are not immunised and get measles are 3 times more likely to have a fit
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about 3 weeks after MMR vaccination, as the mumps part of the vaccine starts to work, some children may rarely get mumps-like symptoms (fever and swollen glands)
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very rarely, children may get a rash of small bruise-like spots in the 6 weeks after the vaccination, usually caused by the measles or rubella parts of the vaccine – if you see spots like these, take your child to the doctor to be checked; your doctor will tell you how to deal with the rash and how to protect your child in the future
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fewer than one in a million children may develop encephalitis (inflammation and swelling of the brain) after the MMR vaccine. However, if a child catches measles, the chance of developing encephalitis is between 1 in 200 and 1 in 5,000
If your baby is allergic to eggs
The MMR vaccine can safely be given to children who have had a severe allergy (anaphylactic reaction) to egg. If you have any concerns, talk to your health visitor or practice nurse.
The MMR vaccine and gelatine
In the UK, we have 2 MMR vaccines which work very well. One of them contains gelatine and the other one doesn’t. If you would prefer to have the vaccine that does not contain porcine gelatine, talk to your practice nurse.
updated January 2024
Does Age Affect The Risk Of Flu?
Yes. If you are aged 65 years or over or you are at higher risk
Who is at risk?
- If you are aged 65 years or over or if you are on regular inhaled steroids
- If you have a chronic respiratory disease (including asthma)
- If you have chronic heart disease
- If you have chronic renal disease
- If you are diabetic
- If you have a weak immune system
- If you live in a long-stay residential or nursing home
- If you have a chronic liver disease
- If you are a carer