This blog is written by our clinicians and aims to keep patients informed with up to date information on medical conditions.
The MMR Vaccine – Time to take action
This week the World Health Organisation called on many countries to take action as measles continues to spread throughout Europe at an alarming rate.
More than 41,000 people have been infected with measles worldwide in the first six months of 2018, leading to 37 deaths. 1
In 2017 there were 23,927 cases of measles and the year before 5,273. The reason for this surge is believed to be due to a drop in the uptake of vaccination.1
The MMR vaccine is known to be safe and very well received by adults and children alike. In the UK children are routinely vaccinated aged 1 and then a preschool booster is also given just after they turn 3 years old.
If you are an adult and unsure as to whether you or your child has been vaccinated or if you ever completed the full vaccination course, most of the time it is completely safe to book in and have the MMR vaccine. Call us at ROC Clinic (where we have the vaccine on site and can administer it if suitable) or speak to your doctor about it.
Why is measles spreading?
Experts state that this surge in spread is due to people not vaccinating their children and because measles rate has increased in a number of European countries (Serbia, Ukraine, Greece, Romania and Italy to name a few). Those that are not vaccinated and travelling to those countries could well contract this infectious disease.
The MMR jab and autism
Discredited research from the 1990’s wrongly suggested a link between MMR and autism. Although this has now been disproven, there are many people who did not have the vaccine over the last 20 years amid fears of it increasing the risk of developing autism.
If you or your parents are unsure as to whether you missed the vaccine in childhood or whether you completed the course of 2 vaccines, contact us at ROC Clinic to discuss having it done and reducing your risk of catching this preventable yet potentially lethal infection.
Planning a pregnancy
For those planning a pregnancy, it is a good idea to check whether you are immune to measles, mumps and rubella prior to conceiving, as catching these infections when pregnant can be incredibly serious. Your immunity can be checked with a simple blood test and then the vaccine can be given to provide immunity during your future pregnancy and beyond so that you and your unborn baby won’t be at risk.
For more information on the vaccine, get in touch.
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