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MMR jab warning as measles cases soar 25% over Easter MMR jab warning as measles cases soar 25% over Easter
(6 months later)
A measles epidemic with children most at risk shows no sign of ending after a 25% jump in new cases reported over the Easter break.A measles epidemic with children most at risk shows no sign of ending after a 25% jump in new cases reported over the Easter break.
An urgent appeal for parents to ensure their children have the vital MMR jab was renewed on Wednesday as the number of confirmed cases hit 541.An urgent appeal for parents to ensure their children have the vital MMR jab was renewed on Wednesday as the number of confirmed cases hit 541.
Concerned health experts said 109 new cases were reported in the last week and warned again the contagious virus is a potential killer.Concerned health experts said 109 new cases were reported in the last week and warned again the contagious virus is a potential killer.
The measles epidemic centred on Swansea, south Wales, has underlined the need for children to have vital protection. But there is increasing concern that pleas for thousands of unvaccinated children to get the MMR jab are not being acted on.The measles epidemic centred on Swansea, south Wales, has underlined the need for children to have vital protection. But there is increasing concern that pleas for thousands of unvaccinated children to get the MMR jab are not being acted on.
Public Health Wales (PHW) warned before Easter that measles was spreading "at an alarming rate". It is concerned that take-up of the vital vaccination is far too slow, putting lives at risk at the height of an epidemic.Public Health Wales (PHW) warned before Easter that measles was spreading "at an alarming rate". It is concerned that take-up of the vital vaccination is far too slow, putting lives at risk at the height of an epidemic.
Dr Marion Lyons, PHW director of health protection, has repeatedly warned that measles can leave unprotected children brain-damaged or dead. She warned: "Measles cannot be taken lightly because you can never tell who will go on to develop the more serious complications of pneumonia or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). MMR vaccination offers the only protection against these complications.Dr Marion Lyons, PHW director of health protection, has repeatedly warned that measles can leave unprotected children brain-damaged or dead. She warned: "Measles cannot be taken lightly because you can never tell who will go on to develop the more serious complications of pneumonia or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). MMR vaccination offers the only protection against these complications.
"Parents of unvaccinated children aged between six and 12 months living in, or travelling to, the outbreak areas of Swansea and Neath-Port Talbot can be offered vaccination by their GP. There's no adverse effect to this extra jab and those children would still need to receive the recommended two doses at 13 months and three years four months.""Parents of unvaccinated children aged between six and 12 months living in, or travelling to, the outbreak areas of Swansea and Neath-Port Talbot can be offered vaccination by their GP. There's no adverse effect to this extra jab and those children would still need to receive the recommended two doses at 13 months and three years four months."
Cases of measles continue to be reported across Wales, with the majority in Swansea's Abertawe Bro Morgannwg and neighbouring Powys and Hywel Dda Health Board areas.Cases of measles continue to be reported across Wales, with the majority in Swansea's Abertawe Bro Morgannwg and neighbouring Powys and Hywel Dda Health Board areas.
PHW has warned that the likelihood of unvaccinated children coming into contact with those already infected is increasing. It says those not vaccinated are likely to catch the disease.PHW has warned that the likelihood of unvaccinated children coming into contact with those already infected is increasing. It says those not vaccinated are likely to catch the disease.
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