North Yorkshire health leaders urge measles vaccination as cases rise

Health leaders are concerned not enough people are vaccinated against measles

Health leaders in North Yorkshire have urged more people to get vaccinated against measles due to rising cases of the disease.

In the last four months there have been 347 confirmed measles cases reported in England, the government said.

Measles is spread by coughs and sneezes and is highly contagious.

Jack Lewis, a consultant in public health, said: "If you or your child are not fully vaccinated, please make an appointment with your GP".

Mr Lewis, from the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, said "While we would strongly urge parents to make arrangements for their child to be vaccinated, it's worth emphasising the MMR vaccine isn't just for children.

"It is important at any age, particularly if you have a weakened immune system or long-term health condition."

The Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) jab, is delivered in two doses, the first given at 12 months, and the second at about three years and four months, before children start school.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine give lifelong protection

However, a spokesperson for the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, said around one in 10 children in the region remained at risk because they have not had both doses of the vaccine by the age of five.

This means that in the average reception class there will be three children who are not fully vaccinated, the spokesperson said.

'Lifelong protection'

The UK Health Security Agency, alarmed at the spread of measles in the Midlands, which has seen hundreds of cases, said further outbreaks of the disease would spread to other towns and cities unless there was "urgent action" to increase MMR vaccination uptake.

Peter Roderick, director of public health at City of York Council, said: "Children who get measles can be very poorly and some will suffer life changing complications.

"The best way for parents to protect their children from measles is the MMR vaccine."

He added: "I'd also recommend that students coming to universities in our area should check their vaccination status with their GP.

"Two doses of the MMR vaccine give lifelong protection and it's never too late to catch up."

In a statement on Tuesday, Health Minister Maria Caulfield said between 1 October 2023 and 23 January 2024 there had been 347 "laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England", with 127 of the cases confirmed in January 2024.

Ms Caulfield said she would be chairing a regular ministerial coordination board on measles, "bringing together local and national actors to bring the current outbreak under control".