Ensure you are vaccinated against measles

Cases of measles are rising across Leicester and Leicestershire, particularly in schools.  People are therefore being urged to ensure that they and their children are fully vaccinated against measles.

Measles is a highly infectious virus and spreads very easily. Anyone who hasn’t had both measles vaccinations as a child, or who has children who aren’t fully vaccinated, is being urged to contact their GP practice and ensure they are protected.

If you are unsure whether you or your family have been vaccinated, please check your online GP record or your child’s red book in the first instance, otherwise contact your GP practice.

Two doses are needed for full protection against measles, preferably by the age of 5 years, but you can have the vaccination at any age (as long as the child is over 12 months old) and measles immunity usually lasts a lifetime.

Measles symptoms to be aware of include:

• high fever
• sore, red, watery eyes
• coughing
• aching and feeling generally unwell
• a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms.
• the rash can appear differently on lighter and darker skin.