Enjoy your children this summer break but take a few minutes to visit the GP
- see caption at foot of page
Health chiefs in
Dr Virginia Pearson, NHS Devon’s director of public health, says putting aside some time to visit the doctors’ could prove to be one of the best decisions a family could make over the six-week break.
“As a busy mum myself I know how important it is to spend time with my children over the school holiday period,” she said.
“But as a doctor I also understand how vital it is to ensure children are protected against measles, mumps and rubella.
“Some people seem to think that measles is perhaps not as harmful as it once was – but it is, and this is why I’m joining Sarah Wollaston today to encourage as many mums and dads as possible to heed the message.
“Please find time to vaccinate your children this summer; their health is in your hands.”
Devon, along with
In April 6 cases of measles were reported, rising to 7 in May and 19 in June, 12 of which were centred on an independent school in the
NHS Devon and the Health Protection Agency are doing all they can to control the spread of the disease but say the most effective way to do this is through the administration of the MMR vaccine.
The first MMR injection takes place when a child is 13-months, the second when they are aged five. Both are needed to ensure the best protection.
Totnes MP Sarah Wollaston, a former family doctor, said: “Measles mumps and rubella are entirely preventable through the administration of a vaccine, available free on the NHS from any GP practice.
“Even if your children missed out on the original vaccination or the essential booster when they were younger it is not too late to protect them now that they are older and it will only take a few minutes.
“So my main message to families who haven’t had the vaccine, is not to take the risk of your child’s health or summer holiday being ruined by measles and
I would urge you to speak to your doctor or practice nurse about vaccination.
“You will also be helping to prevent this local increase in measles from spreading and possibly harming those too young to be vaccinated and who are more at risk of serious complications.”
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness.
Symptoms include a fever, coughing and distinctive red-brown spots on the skin.
Possible complications include pneumonia, ear and eye infections and croup (an infection of the lungs and throat).
More serious complications, such as inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), are rarer but can be fatal.
The virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Measles can be caught by breathing in these droplets or, if the droplets have settled on a surface, by touching the surface and then placing your hands near your nose or mouth.
Dr Mark Kealy of the South West (South) Health Protection Unit, says he hopes that families understand just how important having the MMR vaccination is.
“MMR is a safe vaccine with a proven track record,” he said.
“The majority of parents in
“For the relatively small number of parents who have not had their children vaccinated, I want to ensure they realise that measles is a potentially serious illness, even for healthy children and on rare occasions the disease can be fatal.
“People with damaged immunity systems and pregnant women, are particularly at risk of serious illness if they catch the disease.
“I would urge parents whose children have not had the number of MMR jabs for their age to take a few moments out from their holidays to visit their local GP practice with their children this summer.”
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Caption: Dr Sarah Wollaston (left), MP for Totnes and a former GP, joins NHS Devon’s director of public health Dr Virginia Pearson (right), to encourage families to take time out over the school holidays to ensure their children are vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella.
