As the number of measles cases climbs, young people are being urged to come forward for their MMR jab.
People aged 19 to 25-year-olds in London, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands are receiving letters from the NHS urging them to schedule an appointment.
Since October of last year, there have been 733 instances of measles in England. By contrast, in 2022 there were only 53 confirmed cases.
Although cases have already been found throughout the North West, London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, the current outbreak originated in the West Midlands and Birmingham.
It is suspected many people may have missed their measles shot during a time when vaccination rates started to decline in the late 1990s and early 2000s.According to a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) 2023 measles briefing document, the number of children who received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine began to fall following a 1998 study by the former physician Andrew Wakefield, who wrongly said there was a link between the vaccine and autism.
Who needs a Measles jab?
According to the NHS, two doses of the MMR vaccine should be given to children aged 12 months and above. Adults and teenagers who have not received their measles vaccination should also receive two doses of the MMR vaccine at least 28 days apart.
The vaccine is safe and important in order to protect against measles, mumps and rubella.
More than 900,000 young people have been sent a letter to book their vaccine. If you haven’t received a letter but think you need a vaccine, contact your GP.
As measles infections increased in England, health officials initiated a catch-up campaign, first focusing on children aged six to eleven, and later on those aged eleven to sixteen, in London and the West Midlands.It now includes people between the ages of 19 and 25.
Vaccinations are available at GP surgeries, and in certain places, pop-up clinics are also being held in libraries, sports teams, and university campuses.
Consultant medical epidemiologist for immunisation at UKHSA Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam stated: "Anyone who is not vaccinated against measles can catch it.
"Being unvaccinated also means you risk spreading the disease to others, including those at greatest risk of becoming seriously ill - like infants, who aren't able to receive their MMR vaccine until their first birthday, pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system.”
