March 3rd 2024.
New data has been released regarding the suspected measles infections that have been plaguing the country. The number of reported cases has been steadily increasing, causing concern among experts at the United Kingdom Health Security Agency. The West Midlands, specifically Birmingham, has been hit the hardest, but there are now reports of cases in other regions as well.
Recent testing has shown that there have been at least 60 new cases confirmed in the past week alone. This brings the total number of infections up to nearly 600 since the start of October. The UKHSA has attributed this spread to a slow uptake of the MMR vaccine in certain areas. It is important to note that 65% of these cases have been seen in children under the age of ten, while around a quarter have been in young people and adults over the age of 15.
In England, it has been reported that just over 92% of children have received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine by the age of five. This is a decline from the previous year and falls short of the target of 95.5%. Additionally, these numbers do not accurately reflect regional differences. In Birmingham, the worst affected area, it is estimated that only 88.1% of children have been vaccinated.
Despite efforts to control the spread of measles, the West Midlands, particularly Birmingham, remains the most heavily impacted region. Since the start of the year, the UKHSA has received reports of over 1,700 suspected cases of measles, which is a tenfold increase from the same period last year. Dr. Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist with the agency, stated that this rise in cases is to be expected due to the low MMR vaccine uptake in certain areas.
She also stressed the importance of parents protecting their children by getting them vaccinated. While many parents have already taken up the offer of the MMR vaccine for their children, there are still hundreds of thousands of unvaccinated children who are at risk of serious illness or lifelong complications. Measles is a highly contagious disease, especially in schools and nurseries, but it is completely preventable with the MMR vaccine.
In order to ensure the safety of their children, Dr. Saliba advises parents to check their child's Red Book to make sure they are up to date on all their routine vaccines, including the MMR vaccine. If any vaccinations have been missed, it is important to contact their GP practice as soon as possible to catch up. It is also crucial to respond promptly if the NHS reaches out to schedule catch-up vaccinations for their child. With these precautions, we can work together to prevent the spread of measles and protect our children's health.
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