Council urges measles vaccination

Parents are being urged to get their children vaccinated for measles following a number of outbreaks across the country, including Cheshire and Merseyside.

There are 29 confirmed cases in Cheshire and Liverpool currently, with more cases in the West Midlands, West Yorkshire and the South. The number of cases in Cheshire has risen since the last count before Christmas.

Councillor Liz Wardlaw, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for health, said: "With outbreaks of measles in other parts of Cheshire and Merseyside, we wish to send out the message to all families to make sure they are protected.

"Measles is an extremely serious, highly infectious viral infection with very unpleasant complications. It can spread through communities, where people have not been vaccinated, very quickly and we are strongly recommending that residents who have not been vaccinated make sure that they do so and get their children protected.

"But we do not wish to cause panic as many people will have been vaccinated when infants."
It is customary for children to have received both MMR doses before the age of three years and four months.

Although there are no reported cases in Cheshire East, the council's public health service is urging parents to ensure that children and young people receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, if they have not already been immunised. The vaccine is available to all adults and children who are not up to date. Anyone who is not sure should check with their GP.

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