Check if your family is fully protected against measles
Wednesday, 17 March 2021
Throughout March 2021, we're reminding families of the importance of the MMR vaccination.
Most people are be aware that measles can make children very poorly. But did you know that it can also lead to life threatening complications, if someone is not fully vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccination?
Over the past few years, measles has been on the rise and it can be highly contagious to children. To be fully protected, you need two doses of the vaccine: the first at age 1 and the second at 3 years and four months. Recently missed appointments have increased, due to the coronavirus pandemic, which means children across Bedfordshire could be at risk of contracting measles.
Councillor Tracey Stock, our Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Communities said:
Measles can spread rapidly if people have not been fully immunised. While most people who catch measles will recover completely within a few weeks, it is important to remember measles can be a very serious illness if you are not fully vaccinated.
The availability of the MMR vaccine is not affected by the current pandemic and is available to those who are due or have missed their appointment. Please don’t delay, get in touch with your GP to find out if your family are fully protected and book an appointment.
Measles symptoms to be aware of include:
- high fever
- sore, red, watery eyes
- coughing
- aching and feeling generally unwell
- a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms