Parents are being urged to get their children vaccinated against measles as jab rates fall nationally.

The MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccination is considered the best way to fully protect against the diseases.

Measles is more contagious than Covid and can cause serious illness.

A new campaign was launched on Tuesday - supported by NHS Tameside and Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Tameside Council - to encourage parents and guardians of children aged one to five years to check that their children’s MMR vaccines are up-to-date.

Those that may have missed their appointments during the pandemic are advised to contact their GP practice.

Uptake of most routine childhood vaccinations has declined over the past five to 10 years, a problem which has been further exacerbated by the pandemic. 

Coverage for the two doses of the MMR vaccine in five-year-old children in England is well below the 95 per cent WHO target needed to achieve and sustain measles elimination. 

In Tameside the latest data for 2020/21 showed that MMR first dose at two years of age had a 93.5 per cent uptake rate, similar to the England average. But the MMR second dose at five years had an 89.9 per cent uptake rate which is significantly lower than the England average. Although the 2021 uptake was an improvement on the last two years, Tameside is still lower on uptake than they were in 2016/17.

With around one in 10 children unvaccinated and unprotected against MMR, and because measles is so infectious, even small drops in MMR coverage can have a big impact on population immunity. Which is why recovering uptake and catching up children who missed out on their MMR is a public health priority.

Measles can infect around nine out of 10 non-immune (those who are unvaccinated or have not previously been infected with the measles virus) people exposed to it and can lead to serious complications. 

Anyone who hasn’t had two doses of the MMR vaccine and has not had measles in the past can catch it. The MMR vaccine is the safest and most effective way for parents to protect their children against measles, mumps and rubella.

So parents and guardians are being encouraged to ensure their children are vaccinated against MMR, and if they can’t remember if their child is up-to-date to check his or her red book (personal child health record).

Parents or guardians of children who are not up-to-date with their two doses of MMR vaccine should contact their GP practice to book an appointment. 

Dr Asad Ali, co-chair at NHS Tameside and Glossop CCG, said: “Measles is highly infectious and can lead to complications such as ear and chest infections, fits, diarrhoea and dehydration in younger children, and, on rare occasions, infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or brain itself (encephalitis), which can lead to long-term disabilities or even death.

“The first MMR dose is offered to children at one year of age and the second dose is offered at around three years and four months. It is extremely important that all babies and children receive their routine vaccinations at the right time in order to give them the best start in life.

“If your child was due to have either of the two doses of MMR but has not yet received them, no matter what age they are, you should contact your GP practice to get them vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Population Health, Cllr Eleanor Wills, said: “Starting nursery and school increases the risk of children being exposed to infectious diseases.  

“It is important to ensure your child is up-to-date with all their routine vaccinations before they start school so that they can benefit from the protection they offer.

“Please protect your child with both MMR vaccines. Contact your GP practice to book their first or second dose.”

You can find out more at nhs.uk/MMR