Stay protected against measles

Date of release: 24 January 2024

With measles cases rising locally, Wolverhampton parents and carers are being urged to check their child’s vaccination status.

The infection spreads very easily and can cause serious ill-health in some people.

• If unvaccinated, nine out of ten children in a classroom will catch measles from an infected classmate
• One in five children will need a hospital visit
• One in 15 children will get serious complications such as meningitis or sepsis.

Preventing measles

Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent measles and protect our communities. A child needs two doses to be fully protected.

The MMR vaccine is one of the most studied vaccines and millions of doses are given every year – this means it is safe to be given to your child. For more information on how to check their vaccination record, visit nhs.uk/mmr

Make sure your child has two MMR vaccines on time –  the first at one year of age and the second at three years, four months.

• are about to start college or university
• are going to travel abroad
• are planning to get pregnant
• are a frontline health or social care worker
• are aged between 19-25
• were born between 1970 and 1979, as you may have only been vaccinated against measles
• were born between 1980 and 1990, as you may not be protected against mumps

If you or your children missed these vaccines, it’s not too late. Make an informed choice and find out more about the free vaccine. Visit NHS - MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine

• Saturday 27 January, 10am-4pm, Park Village Education Centre, Cannock Road, Wolverhampton, WV10 0RA. Walk in, no appointment needed.
• Saturday 27 January, 9am-3pm, vaccination van located at Bilston Market, Pinfold Street, Wolverhampton, WV14 0DN. Walk in, no appointment needed.

Parents who are unsure if their child is up to date can check their child’s Red Book (personal child health record), check on the NHS app, or contact their GP practice.

Find out more about measles vaccination, including details of other clinics across the Black Country, online: Black Country ICB - Measles

Know the symptoms

High fever, sore/red/watery eyes, coughing, aching, feeling generally unwell and a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after initial symptoms.

If you have symptoms of measles, stay at home and call 111 or get help from 111 online

You and your family should stay off nursery, school, or work for at least four days from when the rash first appears. Measles usually starts to get better in about a week. Read the NHS guidanceon how to look after yourself or your child.