North East health bosses have warned that so far this year there have been a sharp rise in measles cases - and said it's vital parents get their children fully vaccinated.
The plea - coming the week of the NHS's 75th birthday - sees bosses highlight how vaccinations can make a huge difference in protecting children from potentially deadly diseases. Between January 1 and April 20, there were 49 confirmed measles cases around the country, that's an astonishing rise compared to 54 cases across the entirety of 2022.
According to the NHS, there were no cases of measles in the North East between 2019 and 2022 - but this is no longer the case with a "small number of cases emerging". As a result, despite historically high rates of vaccine take-up, top doctors are concerned that some children may be slipping through the gaps.
Dr Neil O'Brien, medical director, of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: "We know that vaccines have saved more lives than any other medical invention in history. Ensuring your children are properly immunised is one of the most important things you can do.
"From 2019 to 2022 there were no cases of measles within our region, however this has changed and we now are seeing a small number of cases emerging - therefore it is vital that all children are kept up to date with their MMR doses and fully protected.
"Measles is a highly infectious disease and can spread very quickly, one person with measles can infect nine out of ten close contacts, which can lead to serious problems such as pneumonia, meningitis, and on rare occasions, long-term disability or even death.
"We're asking all parents, carers and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with both MMR doses. It’s never too late to catch up, and you can get the MMR vaccine free whatever your age."
Measles symptoms 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.
Dr O'Brien added: "Our rates of primary and pre-school vaccinations have consistently been the best in England for many years. Of the 6686 children who turned two years old between January and March this year 6344, 94.5%, had their first measles (MMR) vaccine, which is higher than the national average of 89.2%.
"This is good overall, however we are still concerned that around 360 children have yet to have their MMR. If we can help more parents, who have not yet had their children immunised, to come forward we could achieve big gains to protect those children and our whole population."
He said the MMR jab was one of the "most studied" vaccines in the world, and that millions of doses are given each year. He said it is safe and can protect both children and the wider community.
"If you think you haven't had your child vaccinated yet, or they are not up to date with their MMR vaccinations, please contact your local GP practice to check or to book an appointment,” he added.
