The MMR vaccine
is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself against measles , mumps and rubella
More than one in ten eligible children under the age of five in England haven ’ t had the MMR vaccine or are only partially vaccinated . This leaves es these children unprotected and increases the risk of measles outbreaks occurring in nurseries and schools . We are reminding parents and guardians to ensure their children are protected by taking up two doses of the MMR vaccine at the right time .
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 , there has been a significant drop in the number of parents and carers getting their childr
ren vaccinated against MMR and taking up other childhood d vaccines .
Measles is highly contagious so even a small decline in MMR uptake can lead to a rise in cases . As international travel resumes , there is more chance for measles to be brought in from countries where it is common . Catching-up children who missed out on their MMR vaccines during the pandemic is a priority , in order to help prevent a rise in measles cases .
Vaccinations remain the best defence against infection , so it is very important that children attend their routine vaccination appointments and catch up on any they may have missed . You can see the updated routine childhood schedule February 2022 at www . gov . uk / government / publications / routine-childhood-immunisation-schedule .
Measles is a very contagious viral illness that used to be common in childhood but is now rare due to the MMR vaccination programme . When you catch it , at first it can feel like you have a cold with a runny nose and a cough , sore red eyes ( conjunctivitis ) and a fever , but this is followed a few days later by a rash that spreads all over the body .
Most people will feel better after 7 to 10 days , however measles can lead to complications such as ear and chest infections , fits and diarrhoea and dehydration in younger children . On rare occasions measles can also lead to infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord ( meningitis ) or brain itself ( encephalitis ) which can lead to long term disabilities or even death .
The first MMR dose is offered to infants when they turn 1 and the second dose to pre-school children when they are around 3 years and 4 months old .
The MMR vaccine is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself against measles , mumps and rubella .
Over 99 % of those who have two doses of the MMR vaccine will be protected against measles and rubella .
Since the MMR vaccine was introduced in 1988 , these conditions have become rare in the UK . However , outbreaks of disease , especially measles , have occurred when the number of people having the vaccine has dropped .
Since the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1968 , 20 million measles cases and 4,500 deaths have been prevented in the UK .
However , countries around the world with low MMR vaccine uptake continue to experience large measles outbreaks and epidemics . It is especially important to check you are up to date with your two doses of MMR before you travel . Not only would it be unpleasant to become ill whilst abroad , but you may risk bringing the infection back with you and exposing your family and friends .
Anyone who has not had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine can contact their GP surgery to book an appointment . It is never too late to catch-up .
It ’ s important to check you ’ ve had both doses if you :
• are about to start college or university
• are going to travel abroad
• are planning a pregnancy
• are a frontline health or social care worker
Why should I have the MMR vaccine ?
You should have the vaccine to protect yourself against three serious infections . By doing so you will also help to protect others who can ’ t have the vaccine . These include unborn babies , infants who are too young to have the vaccine and children / adults who can ’ t have the vaccine because they have weakened immune systems .
You should also have the vaccine if you work with young children or care for people as part of your work . Passing on measles to children who are too young to have MMR vaccine or to someone who is already ill , can have very serious consequences for their health .
More information
MMR www . nhs . uk / conditions / vaccinations / mmr-vaccine
Measles www . nhs . uk / conditions / measles
Mumps www . nhs . uk / conditions / mumps
Rubella www . nhs . uk / conditions / rubella
MMR leaflet * www . gov . uk / government / publications / mmr-for-all-general-leaflet
* Copies available to order at the Health Publications website