Key messages on MMR vaccine

• Measles spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in
  nurseries and schools. It can be a very unpleasant illness and in some
  children can be serious and lead to hospitalisation and complications – and in
  rare cases tragically can cause death. Vaccines are our best line of defence
  against diseases like measles and help stop outbreaks occurring in the
  community.
• We are calling on all parents and guardians to make sure their children are up
  to date with their 2 MMR doses. To see if your child is up to date with
  their MMR vaccines, check your child’s personal child health record (PCHR),
  known as the red book, or contact your GP practice. People may also be able
  to check their vaccination status on the NHS App.
• It is never too late to catch up. The MMR vaccine is free on the NHS,
  whatever your age. If anyone has missed one or both doses of
  the MMR vaccine, contact your GP practice to book an appointment.

NHS advice

There is information on measles on the NHS website. This includes advice to

parents and carers to check if their child has measles, including photos of the

measles rash. The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on

brown and black skin.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, so anyone with symptoms is advised to

stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice, rather than visiting the

surgery or A&E, to prevent the illness spreading further.

There is information available from the NHS on the MMR vaccine here.