MMR vaccination call following high numbers of measles cases

Public Health England (PHE) is calling for all parents to get their children vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) when the vaccine is offered, or for them to take it up now if they didn’t have it at the scheduled time.

In the first quarter of 2019, there were 231 confirmed cases of measles. This figure is slightly lower compared to the same quarter last year. As measles is highly infectious, anyone who has not received two doses of MMR vaccine is at risk, particularly unvaccinated people travelling to countries where there are currently large outbreaks of measles. The recent measles cases are mainly occurring in under-vaccinated communities, particularly those with links to other countries with ongoing measles outbreaks. There has also been some spread into the wider population, such as those who may have missed out on the MMR vaccine when they were younger.

In the final quarter of 2018 94.9% of eligible children aged five received the first dose of MMR. To achieve herd immunity for measles at least 90-95% of the population need to be fully protected. One dose of the MMR vaccine is about 90-95% effective at preventing measles. After a second dose the level of protection is around 99%. Coverage of the second dose is at 87.4% for children aged five. PHE is therefore urging those who have only had one dose to ensure they are fully vaccinated with two doses.

This quarter, 795 cases of mumps have also been confirmed. No new cases of rubella were reported.

The MMR vaccine is given on the NHS as a single injection to babies as part of their routine vaccination schedule, usually within a month of their first birthday. A second injection of the vaccine is given just before starting school, usually at 3 years and 4 months. The vaccine is also available to all adults and children who are not up to date with their two doses. Anyone who is not sure if they are fully vaccinated should check with their GP and those planning to travel to Europe should check NaTHNaC travel health advice.

PHE – National Childhood flu programme 2017 to 2018

Provides information on the flu vaccination programme 2017 to 2018 for children, the vaccine and how to administer it.

This document on the flu vaccination and vaccination programme includes information on:

what flu is
the flu vaccine
dosage
administering the vaccine
advice on vaccinating children with an egg allergy
further resources

In the 2017/18 flu season, flu vaccine should be offered to all children who are aged two to eight years old (but not nine years or older) on 31 August 2017 and to all primary school-aged children in former primary school pilot areas. It should also be offered to children from six months of age in clinical risk groups.

The key changes to the childhood flu programme in the 2017/18 flu season are that:

Reception Year (children aged 4-5 years) will now be offered flu vaccination in their reception class, rather than through general practice
Children in School Year 4 (children aged 8-9 years) will be included in the programme this year as part of the phased roll-out of the children’s programme

Go to PHE National Childhood Flu Programme 2017/18

PHE Guidance – Unlicensed BCG vaccine: guide for parents and carers

From Public Health England – Documents for parents and carers explaining the use of the unlicensed BCG vaccine.

Since late 2015, there has been a global shortage of the BCG vaccine. To protect those at risk Public Health England has secured a limited supply of BCG vaccine for babies who are eligible.

These documents explain why a brand of BGC vaccine without a UK licence is being used and why it is still recommended.

PHE: Unlicensed BCG vaccine: guide for parents and carers

Statement from UK healthcare professionals on the importance of childhood vaccination

The iHV is one of a group of healthcare professionals to sign a letter, issued to all media, including parenting magazines and websites, stressing the safety of vaccinations and the importance of getting children vaccinated.

Statement from UK healthcare professionals on the importance of childhood vaccination

“As healthcare professionals, we want to send a strong message to parents. Having your child vaccinated is the only effective way of protecting them against many serious and potentially fatal diseases. Routine vaccinations are safe and thoroughly tested long before they are made available to the public. Vaccines strengthen our own immune defences against disease.

“Illnesses such as measles, mumps and rubella are serious and can lead to severe life-long
complications and sometimes death, in children and adults. These diseases can be prevented with vaccines. Although most of us have never seen them in our lifetime, they will return if children are not vaccinated. This would be a tragedy that can and must be prevented.

“Vaccinations are safe, effective, and crucial to safeguarding child health.”

Professor Neena Modi, President, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Dr Cheryll Adams, CBE, Executive Director, Institute of Health Visiting
Professor Simon Capewell, Vice-President for Policy, Faculty of Public Health
Nicola Close, Chief Executive, Association of Directors of Public Health
Janet Davies, Chief Executive and General Secretary, Royal College of Nursing
Professor Lesley Regan, President, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of Council, Royal College of General Practitioners
Cathy Warwick, CBE, Chief Executive, Royal College of Midwives

PHE: Reminder on changes to the meningococcal C (MenC) vaccination schedule from 1 July 2016

Public Health England (PHE) reminds that the infant dose of MenC that is normally given at three months of age has now been removed from the childhood immunisation schedule (from 1 July 2016). All children will continue to be offered a combined Hib/MenC vaccine when they reach one year of age. This, along with the adolescent MenACWY vaccination, will help to provide protection across all age groups including infants and children.

There are almost no cases of MenC disease in infants or young children in the UK. Most cases are seen in over 25s with a history of travel outside of the UK or coming to the UK from abroad. The Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination (JCVI) advised that the removal of the infant MenC dose, alongside the introduction of the MenB vaccine (Bexsero®) into the routine immunisation programme, would not have any significant risk associated with it, providing that community protection could be sustained by the MenACWY programme that was introduced for teenagers in September 2015. The MenB vaccination for infants, introduced in September 2015, may also help prevent some MenC cases.

Please also remain aware that not all meningococcal disease cases are vaccine preventable, and cases can still occur in vaccinated infants and children. There are also other rare types of the disease for which there is no vaccine currently in use. It therefore remains important for public health practitioners to urge parents to be alert to the symptoms and seek urgent medical attention if ever there is concern. This is particularly important as the new meningococcal vaccination programmes become fully established.

Please assure parents that effective control of this disease within our communities will remain. To help with this, a leaflet for parents is available to order from the DH Orderline please use product code 2904568 and also available to download below. Action is being taken to update PHE and NHS literature and this will gradually be reflected in documents that are already in circulation.

Download Meningococcal C (MenC) vaccination: leaflet for parents

Further information can be found in the April edition of Vaccine Update and in the official guidance for professionals