Government Launch MMR Campaign

Fears of a measles epidemic have prompted the government to renew their efforts to ensure children up to the age of 18 have the MMR jab.

The Department of Health (DoH) has asked primary care trusts (PCTs) to offer the jab to all who are not already fully protected.

An epidemic of measles could potentially affect up to 100,000 young people in England alone.

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

The DoH has pledged to make extra vaccine supplies and funding available.

An average PCT will now receive £30,000 to help fund the catch-up campaign while Trusts in London will receive an extra £60,000.

In a letter to all PCTs, the Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson has asked health bosses to urge parents to have their children immunised.

In 2006 and 2007 there were 1,726 confirmed cases in England and Wales - which is more than the previous decade put together.

From 1996 to 2005 there was a total of 1,621 confirmed cases.

It is estimated around three million children aged 18 months to 18 years have missed either their first or second MMR vaccination.

Professor David Salisbury, Director of Immunisation at the DoH has warned that it was "vital" that MMR vaccination rates were increased and that measles is the "most easily spread" of viruses.

Around 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated to protect against widespread outbreaks of measles.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, uptake of the first dose of MMR is 91% while in England and Wales it is around 10% lower.

Mr Salibury said: "Measles is serious and in some cases it can be fatal. Delaying immunisation puts children at risk."

However commenting on whether there is a link between MMR and autism, he said: "The evidence on MMR is absolutely clear - there is no link between the vaccine and autism."

The DoH says that around 10% of measles cases require hospital admission and one in 5,000 are fatal.

Measles is a disease caused by a virus and is spread through respiration and is highly contagious.

Complications of measles include pneumonia, ear and eye infections and croup.

According to the NHS, there are one million deaths world-wide from the measles every year.

(DS/JM)