FESTIVAL goers are being urged to ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles ahead of this month’s Creamfields.
The warning comes following a national increase in cases among people attending music festivals, with a significant number linked to events in June and July.
Sarah Johnson Griffiths, Consultant in Public Health, at Halton Borough Council, said: “We want everybody heading to Creamfields over the Bank Holiday weekend to have a great time – and of course, a major part of this is staying safe and healthy.
“We are urging all teenagers and young people who are going to the festival to check their vaccination status as soon as possible. Measles can be more severe in teenagers and young adults and we would ask people to be aware of symptoms, such as a high fever and rash, and not to attend Creamfields or other festivals if they are unwell.
“Many people who think they are fully vaccinated may not be as they only received one dose or they may have missed their childhood immunisations, so it is vital that they check with their GP.”
Two doses of the MMR vaccine is the only way to protect against measles. People heading to Creamfields can check with their GP if they are fully vaccinated and, if necessary, receive a free dose of the vaccine.
Measles is a highly-infectious virus which causes a rash and cold-like symptoms for most people, but it can be deadly.
Public Health England describes festivals as the “ideal place” for the infection to spread because of the large numbers of people mixing together.
For more information about measles, visit http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/Pages/Introduction.aspx
