It is really important to check if your children have had the free MMR vaccine to protect against Measles, Mumps & Rubella before they start primary school in September.

It is estimated by Public Health England that 1 in 7 five year olds have not been immunised against MMR. This is a worrying statistic that has led the World Health Organisation to remove the measles-free status from the UK.

There have been an increased number of measles cases around Europe, where many families have been on holiday this summer.  The statistics from Public Health England also suggest that as many as 30,000 children that are starting school next month have no protection at all from Measles, mumps and rubella while 90,000 children have only had the first of the two vaccines that are necessary for protection.

“It’s a real concern that so many young children – as many as a quarter of a reception class in some areas – could be starting school without the full protection that the NHS childhood immunisation programmes offers for free. We know that parents want the best protection for their children and so many may be unaware that their child is not up to date,”

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at PHE

Contact your GP

If you are unsure if your child is up to date with their vaccinations then please contact your local surgery and check to see if they require a catch-up vaccination.

For more information about the MMR vaccine please take a look at the NHS Direct Wales website.