Pop up MMR clinics set up amid measles outbreak

Parents of children aged 12 to 16 are being urged to get them vaccinated

Pop up clinics are being introduced across the Black Country in a bid to get more children vaccinated as cases of measles continue to rise.

The clinics will be offering the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab to youngsters aged 12 to 16 who have not yet had two doses.

It comes as the West Midlands has seen the largest outbreak of the infection outside of London.

Official figures show uptake of the vaccine is at its lowest point in a decade.

Measles is a highly infectious disease which in extreme cases can lead to serious complications such as severe lung infections and inflammation of the brain.

It also damages and suppresses the whole immune system, meaning children can be left much more susceptible to catching other illnesses, the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) warned.

There were 1,603 suspected cases of measles in England and Wales in 2023, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

That is up sharply from 735 cases in 2022 and 360 in 2021.

The UKHSA said cases in the West Midlands were at the highest level since at least the mid-1990s, with Birmingham Children's Hospital treating more than 50 children since December.

The West Midlands has seen the largest outbreak of measles outside of London

The vaccination clinics are being hosted in Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall and Sandwell on the following dates:

Wolverhampton

The Health Hub, Mander Centre, on Saturday between 09:00GMT and 14:30.

Dudley

Fens Pool Community Centre, Brierley Hill on Saturday between 09:00 and 13:30.

Sandwell

Wood Lane Community Centre, West Bromwich on Saturday 27 January between 09:00 and 13:30.

Walsall

South & Central Locality Hub on Saturday 27 January between 09:00 and 13:30.

Dr Fiona Rose, local GP and Clinical Director for Quality and Safety for the NHS Black Country ICB said: "Measles can easily spread between unvaccinated people and can be very serious, so it is important that parents make sure their children are protected.

"The safest and most effective way to prevent measles is to ensure your child is fully vaccinated with MMR vaccine."