Measles outbreak prompts MMR plea across Cumbria

12:49pm Monday 30th June 2008

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A RISE in the number of children getting measles in Lancashire, has prompted Cumbria Primary Care Trust to issue a warning to parents.

The PCT is urging mums and dads to check that their children have been immunised against the viral disease after evidence showed areas where the uptake of the MMR jab was low, were more likely to experience outbreaks.

Professor John Ashton, Director of Public Health for the PCT said: "We need to make sure that our children have the protection they need and the MMR vaccination is the best defence against this very contagious disease."

The MMR vaccine is usually given twice - when a child is aged two and before their fifth birthday - but Nigel Calvert, a consultant in Communicable Disease Control, said anyone under the age of 25 who had not received the jabs should contact their GP.

"Measles can be a very serious illness and in rare circumstances it can kill or cause complications such as meningitis and encephalitis. MMR is safe, proven and effective and we know that two doses will ensure long term protection against measles, mumps and rubella.”