Key Summary
- Alder Hey warns of rising measles cases in unvaccinated children
- Drop in MMR vaccine uptake linked to appointment and reminder issues
- Health officials urge parents to vaccinate for lifelong protection
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital has recently warned that the number of measles cases are spiking among children leaving them severely unwell.
The hospital points out the failure in taking measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine as a major cause for this.
Large number of children are being admitted in the hospital after showing severe symptoms.
A runny nose, sneezing, coughing and a high temperature followed by rashes are the common symptoms of the disease.
As per studies, vaccine uptake in the UK has undergone a major downfall during the last ten years.
Reasons such as parents experience difficulties like trouble in appointment booking and fewer reminders regarding necessary vaccines have been pointed as reasons for the fall in vaccinations.
This has is led to epidemics like whooping cough and measles.
Measles can be fatal for children, especially for the vulnerable ones battling other serious health issues.
The letter signed by the public health directors of three Merseyside councils strongly urges parents to vaccinate their children for lifelong protection.
The children must be vaccinated as soon as they 12 months first, followed by the next round at 3 years and four months.
“Vaccine has been available for many years and is proven to be safe" said Medical director Alfie Bass and chief nurse Nathan Askew.
