Measles cases are rising across England and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has declared a national incident following a large outbreak in the West Midlands.
Measles spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated. It is an unpleasant illness and, in some children, can be very serious, leading to hospitalisation. People in certain risk groups including babies and young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity, are at increased risk of complications from measles.
What are the symptoms?
- Runny nose
- Cough
- High fever
- Sore red watery eyes
- Blotchy red-brown rash
What do I do if I have symptoms?
If you have symptoms of measles, please follow the guidance set out on the NHS website. You can avoid spreading measles by:
- Washing your hands with soap and warm water, or hand sanitizer (with alcohol)
- Using tissues when you cough or sneeze
- Throwing used tissues in the bin.
Please don’t share cutlery, cups, towels, clothes or bedding.
I need to come to hospital. What do I do?
If you have symptoms of measles and would like to speak to a healthcare professional, please contact your GP surgery or call NHS111 who will be able to advise you.
If you are unwell and need to attend hospital in an emergency, such as our A&E department, please wear a facemask and inform the first healthcare professional that you see of your symptoms.
If your child needs to come to hospital, please arrive at the entrance to children’s A&E and call the telephone number on the door to the unit. Please don’t enter the hospital until you have called the telephone number, even if the door is open.
If you need to attend our maternity department, please alert a member of staff or call maternity triage on 01438 286168. Please don’t enter the hospital until you have called the telephone number, even if the door is open.
If you’re a cancer patient who needs to come to the Lister Macmillan Cancer Centre or the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, please call the AOS triage using the details below:
- Lister Macmillan Cancer Centre: 07827823509
- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre: 07825028855
If you have an outpatient appointment, please call the hospital switchboard on 01438 314333 or call the number on your appointment letter to let them know you’re unable to attend.
How can I protect myself and my loved ones?
Vaccines are our best line of defence against diseases like measles and help stop outbreaks occurring in the community.
Children are offered the first dose of the MMR vaccine when they turn one and the second dose when they are about 3 years 4 months old, before they start school.
In recent years, uptake of the routine childhood vaccinations, including the MMR vaccine, has fallen. Update for the MMR vaccine – which protects against measles, mumps and rubella – in children aged 2 years in England is 89% and uptake of 2 MMR doses in children aged 5 years is 85%. This is well below the 95% target set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which is necessary to achieve and maintain elimination.
The UKHSA and NHS England are calling on all parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with their 2 MMR doses. It’s never too late to catch up, and you can get the MMR vaccine for free on the NHS whatever your age.
Please speak to your GP or practice nurse for more information about how to get the MMR vaccines.
I’m worried about the vaccine ingredients. Is it right that it contains pork products?
It is correct that some forms of the MMR vaccine contains pork ingredients (known as ‘porcine gelatine’). However, there is an MMR vaccine available that does not contain pork products. A vaccine called Priorix does not contain gelatine and is as safe and effective.
If you would like further information about the different types of MMR vaccines available and the use of pork ingredients, please speak to your GP or practice nurse.
Where can I find more information?
We will keep this page updated as more information becomes available. You can also find information on the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB website and the NHS England website.
