Public Health England Says ‘Don’t Bring Back Measles’

‘Young people are encouraged to make sure they have had both doses of the MMR vaccine before going on holiday to Europe, where there are large outbreaks of measles,’ said Public Health England (PHE) in a press release.

This PHE international travel suggestion is related to the ongoing measles outbreak in unvaccinated people of this age group across England.

According to PHE, between 1 January 2018 and 18 June 2018 there has been 643 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in England.

Measles cases were reported in most areas with London (225), the South-East (137), West Midlands (82), South-West (79), and Yorkshire and Humberside (74).

Dr. Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at Public Health England (PHE), said in the press release, “In the early 2000s there was a fall in MMR vaccination coverage in children and as a consequence, we are now seeing measles cases in young adults.”

“Measles can be more serious in adults with a higher likelihood of hospitalization and complications arising.”

While measles vaccine uptake levels in the UK in young children are currently very high, coverage levels dipped to a low of 80% in 2003.

This data contrasts with the World Health Organization, which recommends that to prevent measles outbreaks, 95% of people need to have received the MMR vaccine.

This means that there are significant numbers of unprotected teenagers and young adults who could catch measles both in England, particularly in environments of close mixing such as summer festivals, and when they travel abroad for the summer holidays, says PHE.

In England, the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is available free to anyone who has not received both doses as a child.

Parents are also urged to take up the offer of MMR vaccination for their children at 1 year old and as a pre-school booster at 3 years and 4 months old.

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can sometimes lead to serious complications and can be fatal in very rare cases so getting protected by taking up the offer of vaccination is crucial.

To increase American awareness when traveling to measles outbreak countries, and reduce costly measles cases in the USA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Watch Level 1 Alert for measles in England, and several EU countries.

This CDC alert means Americans traveling to Brazil, England and/or Europe should speak with a healthcare provider regarding their measles immunization status, before departing on their trip.

In the USA, two approved measles vaccines are available, MMR-II and ProQuad.

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International travelers can request a vaccine appointment with a pharmacy at this link.

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Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects, says the CDC. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.