Drop in children having MMR vaccines during coronavirus

Health chiefs at Sandwell Council are raising the importance of the vaccination programme and encouraging parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated.

More than one in 10 eligible children under the age of five in England currently haven’t had both MMR vaccines, or are only partially vaccinated.

Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell’s cabinet member for adults, social care and health, said: "Some people dismiss measles, mumps and rubella as just childhood diseases that everyone easily gets over, but this is simply untrue.

"Measles, for instance, can lead to serious illness such as pneumonia and life-long hearing loss which is why I would urge every parent or guardian to get in touch with their GP and get their child vaccinated."

Dr Lisa McNally, the director of public health in Sandwell, said: "To protect themselves, their siblings and the wider community we need to have 95 per cent of people vaccinated with MMR. Measles is a dangerous disease and the more people who have the MMR vaccine, the safer we all are."

"Measles is very contagious and can be quite unpleasant. It can even cause very serious complications, even in otherwise fit and healthy people.

"The concern is even a small decline in uptake of the MMR vaccination could lead to a rise in cases. And as international travel resumes, there’s more chance for measles to be brought in from other countries where it’s more common."

Health bosses say vaccinations are the best defence against infection and that it's crucial children attend routine jab appointments.

However if they are missed, GP surgeries can be contacted to book an appointment.