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Measles: Urgent action needed to stop outbreak spreading across towns and cities, say health experts

Measles: Urgent action needed to stop outbreak spreading across towns and cities, say health experts

Urgent action is needed to stop further outbreaks of measles across towns and cities, health experts say.

There has been a rapid rise in cases in the West Midlands since October.

Around 80% of cases have been seen in Birmingham, with about 10% in Coventry, with the majority being in children aged under 10.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is calling for more people to get vaccinated – saying an increase in MMR jabs is necessary.

UKHSA chief executive Dame Professor Jenny Harries said: “Colleagues across the West Midlands have worked tirelessly to try to control the outbreak, but with vaccine uptake in some communities so low, there is now a very real risk of seeing the virus spread in other towns and cities.

“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. Two doses of the MMR vaccine give lifelong protection and it’s never too late to catch up.”

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She added: “Immediate action is needed to boost MMR uptake across communities where vaccine uptake is low.

“We need a long-term concerted effort to protect individuals and to prevent large measles outbreaks.”

Measles spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools.

The most serious cases can lead to hospitalisation and even death.

People in certain at-risk groups including babies and young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity, are at increased risk of complications from measles.

More than 99% of those who have two doses of the MMR vaccine will be protected against measles and rubella.

The vaccine also provides protection against mumps.

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