Worrying MMR vaccination uptake in Kent and Medway prompts urgent calls from health chiefs
The county is 10% shy of the World Health Organisation's goal
Health chiefs across Kent and Medway are urgently calling on parents and carers to ensure their children are fully protected with both doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, as cases of childhood infections rise and local uptake rates lag behind the recommended target.
Dr Kate Langford, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Kent and Medway, emphasised the importance of vaccination, saying, “There are a number of NHS vaccines children should have, including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), to protect them and their families from being seriously ill. MMR uptake in Kent and Medway is below the target of 95 per cent and we need parents and carers to take action now. They may have concerns about the vaccine, they may have read things that are not right, but it is safe and effective.”
Recent figures show that just 85.3% of five-year-olds in Kent and 84.7% in Medway had received both MMR doses by the end of March this year, falling short of the 95% threshold recommended by the World Health Organisation. Health leaders warn that low uptake puts both individual children and the wider communities at risk.
“Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some people. Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it and not infect others,” Dr Langford said. Drawing on her experience as a GP, she added, “If your child’s had both doses, though, they are 99% protected against getting it, which is brilliant because measles can lead to long term complications which are very serious for children and in some rare cases it can even be fatal.”
“If your child isn’t vaccinated, they are at risk of getting seriously ill and spreading illness onto others as measles is highly infectious. It is vitally important parents take up all NHS vaccines they are offered, which are free and safe, to make sure their children have the best protection. If any vaccines have been missed, it is never too late to catch up,” she stressed.
"Please check your child’s Red Book or contact your GP practice to see if they are up to date. Children will need both doses of the MMR vaccine to be fully protected.”
Dr Langford also described some of the possible consequences of these diseases: “Measles is a nasty illness, very high temperatures, a nasty rash. The really scary thing about measles is it can lead on to complications such as lung problems and problems with meningitis and long-term brain damage, and, unfortunately, we do see some cases of children dying from measles.”
Speaking about Mumps and Rubella she said: “Mumps can have long-term complications. It can affect hearing in the longer term, while rubella is most dangerous for expecting mothers. If they came in contact with a pregnant woman and she caught it, unfortunately there is a risk of complications to the pregnancy, including losing the baby.”
Local council public health leaders have expressed concerns about vaccine misinformation. Kent County Council Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, said, "We live in a world where advice is just a screen tap or swipe away but so is misleading content and conspiracy theories that have no scientific basis. The fact is vaccines are our best defence against many infectious and potentially serious diseases like measles." He urged, "It's therefore critical that parents wanting information about vaccinations such as measles, mumps and rubella, also known as MMR, should use reliable sources. This includes the NHS and GetVaccinatedNow.co.uk websites. Alternatively, please speak to your GP practice."
Dr Langford concluded by reassuring parents about catch-up jabs: "It's never too late to catch up. If parents haven't had their child vaccinated yet, or if they think they've only had the first jab, they can check that with their GP surgery and get catch up jabs. If you're a little bit older and perhaps thinking about it before you go off to university, you can still go and get yourself protected from measles, mumps and rubella before you go to uni."
New dates for community clinics where under-19s in Kent and Medway can receive catch-up MMR vaccines are now available. Parents are encouraged to visit the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust website for more information and to book an appointment.