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The Health Protection Agency published figures showing almost twice as many confirmed cases of measles in England and Wales during the first six months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.
Dr Shona Hilton, MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit in Glasgow, said:
“These figures reinforce the continuing need for parents and clinicians to talk to each other about vaccination with the common understanding that the MMR vaccine itself is safe. By making sure that high enough numbers of children receive both doses of the MMR vaccination at the appropriate times, parents can play a vital role in minimising potential outbreaks of measles.”
Prof Adam Finn, Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Bristol, said:
“Measles is an entirely preventable disease so it is very sad to see that the numbers of cases are going up. It’s a thoroughly unpleasant illness and, from time to time, unpredictably, can turn very serious or even fatal.
You can’t get too many doses of vaccine, only too few (i.e. anything less than two) so if you are in doubt about yourself or your child, find out and, if necessary get the MMR vaccine which will protect you against mumps and rubella (German measles) as well. You can be immunised safely and effectively at any age.”