RECENT operational figures show the success of the NHS MMR catch-up campaign, with tens of thousands more vaccinations delivered nationally in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2023.
The most significant increase in vaccinations was for those aged five to 25 years old, with four times as many vaccinations – 75,499 – in the first three months of 2024 than 18,433 in the same period last year.
Since January, the NHS, UKHSA and local authorities have been urging millions of parents and carers to book their children in for missed measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations to protect children and young people from becoming seriously unwell.
It’s come amid rising measles cases, with latest figures showing there have been 54 confirmed cases in the North West since 1 October last year.
Between 1 Jan and 24 March 2024, there were a total of 360,964 MMR vaccinations delivered, up almost a quarter (23%) from 293,847 in 2023. This included 187,737 first doses and 171,635 second doses.
More than a million parents and carers of six to 11 year olds – including thousands in the North West – were sent emails, letters and texts inviting them to book an appointment with their child’s GP practice for their missed MMR vaccine.
Throughout February and March over a million children and young adults aged 11 to 25 years living in Greater Manchester, London and the West Midlands were also encouraged to book an appointment, with these areas most at risk due to the number of people not up to date on their MMR vaccinations.
Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning for NHS England – North West, said: “We’re delighted to see this significant increase in people taking up the MMR vaccine and the national picture is reflected here in the North West. Since the start of the year, we have seen more eligible people coming forward to be vaccinated compared with the same period last year.
“Measles is a very serious illness and so it is vital that everyone who is still unprotected comes forward to get their two doses as soon as possible, by contacting their GP surgery. In some parts of the region, people may also be able to get their vaccine in a community pharmacy*.”
The NHS is working with UKHSA on a continued campaign encouraging parents and carers of pre-school children to make sure their children are up to date with all their routine vaccinations, including the MMR vaccine.
Dr Merav Kliner, Regional Deputy Director, for UKHSA North West, said: “The big increase in people, especially children, getting their MMR vaccine following our recent marketing campaign on missed immunisations is fantastic to see.
“We would like to thank the public and parents who have come forward to check their and their children’s vaccination status and subsequently booked appointments where required. This goes a long way towards helping manage the ongoing measles outbreak and protecting people, however, we are still seeing rising measles cases in the North West, particularly in children under 10 years old.
Don’t wait for measles to be in your area before you check that you and your children are up to date for MMR. Measles spreads very easily but is preventable. To help protect ourselves, our families and those around us it is vital we all ensure we are vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine, free on the NHS whatever your age.
Catching measles can lead to life changing issues for adults and children, such as blindness, deafness and swelling of the brain (encephalitis).
Measles can also have a serious impact on pregnant women, potentially leading to premature birth, low birth weight and still birth. Health chiefs are urging anyone thinking about becoming pregnant to ensure their MMR vaccination status is up to date because the vaccine can’t be given during pregnancy.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are needed for maximum life-long protection, with the first dose given around a person’s first birthday, and the second dose given at around three years and four months.
However, anyone can catch up at any age on any missed doses and it’s never too late to protect yourself. The vaccine doses are typically given via a single injection into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm and are usually delivered with their other one year and preschool vaccinations.
For more information about NHS childhood immunisations, visit: NHS vaccinations and when to have them – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
