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Wales measles: School MMR sessions for 2,000 pupils Wales measles: School MMR sessions for 2,000 pupils
(35 minutes later)
About 2,000 pupils could be given the MMR jab in schools this week to try to stop the spread of the measles epidemic centred on Swansea.About 2,000 pupils could be given the MMR jab in schools this week to try to stop the spread of the measles epidemic centred on Swansea.
Four city comprehensives and one in Neath Port Talbot will host vaccination sessions for unprotected 11-18-year-olds, who health experts say have a low take-up of the jab.Four city comprehensives and one in Neath Port Talbot will host vaccination sessions for unprotected 11-18-year-olds, who health experts say have a low take-up of the jab.
Letters are going to parents ahead of the sessions, which start on Wednesday.Letters are going to parents ahead of the sessions, which start on Wednesday.
Nearly 700 people have contracted measles since November.Nearly 700 people have contracted measles since November.
There are fears it could spread across Wales. and as a result, health boards laid on special drop-in MMR vaccination clinics at hospitals across south Wales on Saturday, which were attended by about 2,500 people.There are fears it could spread across Wales. and as a result, health boards laid on special drop-in MMR vaccination clinics at hospitals across south Wales on Saturday, which were attended by about 2,500 people.
Ahead of the sessions, Public Health Wales (PHW) had estimated that more than 40,000 children had not had any recommended MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) jabs across Wales, at least 6,000 of them in Swansea.Ahead of the sessions, Public Health Wales (PHW) had estimated that more than 40,000 children had not had any recommended MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) jabs across Wales, at least 6,000 of them in Swansea.
Another 30,000 children across Wales are thought to have had only one of the two recommended vaccinations, offering about 95% protection.Another 30,000 children across Wales are thought to have had only one of the two recommended vaccinations, offering about 95% protection.
The vaccination programme at the five schools - beginning as pupils return after the Easter holiday - aims to target the 11-18 age group.The vaccination programme at the five schools - beginning as pupils return after the Easter holiday - aims to target the 11-18 age group.
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board said nurses would be vaccinating at schools with the highest numbers of pupils at risk of catching measles.Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board said nurses would be vaccinating at schools with the highest numbers of pupils at risk of catching measles.
They are:They are:
Letters will be given to the parents of children who, according to records, are believed to need MMR vaccinations ahead of the sessions.Letters will be given to the parents of children who, according to records, are believed to need MMR vaccinations ahead of the sessions.
The health board has also set up pages on its website for parents to read information about the programme and to download consent forms. More schools will follow in the weeks ahead.The health board has also set up pages on its website for parents to read information about the programme and to download consent forms. More schools will follow in the weeks ahead.
Dr Sara Hayes, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg's director of public health, said there was no sign of the outbreak slowing down. Dr Sara Hayes, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg's director of public health, said there was no sign of the outbreak slowing down, and she did not expect it to peak "for another week or so".
"Children and young people who have not received the full course of MMR are at high risk of catching measles, and there is no doubt it is a horrible disease," she said."Children and young people who have not received the full course of MMR are at high risk of catching measles, and there is no doubt it is a horrible disease," she said.
"I would urge parents whose children need to have MMR to ensure they take advantage of the vaccination sessions at schools.""I would urge parents whose children need to have MMR to ensure they take advantage of the vaccination sessions at schools."
She said the health board had "simply chosen the biggest schools first, with the biggest number of susceptible children in them.
"That's bought us time to plan out the rest of the schedule and we'll be announcing the schedule some time this week."
She said there was "so much confidence in MMR now - there's no reason to withhold it from your child and it's never too late to have it".
Ryan Davies, head teacher of Bishop Gore Comprehensive, added: "Not only is the health of pupils at risk if they are not fully vaccinated, but if they fall ill they are likely to miss important exams in the coming weeks, as there is currently no sign of this measles outbreak receding."Ryan Davies, head teacher of Bishop Gore Comprehensive, added: "Not only is the health of pupils at risk if they are not fully vaccinated, but if they fall ill they are likely to miss important exams in the coming weeks, as there is currently no sign of this measles outbreak receding."
Cases 'could double'Cases 'could double'
The number of cases in the outbreak has now officially reached 693.The number of cases in the outbreak has now officially reached 693.
Although the epidemic is based in Swansea, cases continue to be reported across Wales. Officials have also raised concerns about the number of cases in Powys.Although the epidemic is based in Swansea, cases continue to be reported across Wales. Officials have also raised concerns about the number of cases in Powys.
Dr Meirion Evans, consultant epidemiologist at PHW, has warned that the number of people diagnosed with measles could "easily double", with the epidemic possibly lasting until the school summer holidays.Dr Meirion Evans, consultant epidemiologist at PHW, has warned that the number of people diagnosed with measles could "easily double", with the epidemic possibly lasting until the school summer holidays.
Dr Marion Lyons, director of public protection at PHW, has also warned that a death was inevitable if parents did not take action to vaccinate children.Dr Marion Lyons, director of public protection at PHW, has also warned that a death was inevitable if parents did not take action to vaccinate children.
Speaking on BBC current affairs programme The Wales Report, she said she wanted to see urgent action taken to vaccinate children over the next month, especially as the disease is more likely to spread as they return to school.Speaking on BBC current affairs programme The Wales Report, she said she wanted to see urgent action taken to vaccinate children over the next month, especially as the disease is more likely to spread as they return to school.
Measles is caused by a virus spread in droplets and is easy to catch by those who have not been vaccinated.Measles is caused by a virus spread in droplets and is easy to catch by those who have not been vaccinated.
Typical symptoms of measles include fever, cough, conjunctivitis and a rash. Complications are quite common even in healthy people, and about 20% of reported measles cases experience one or more complication.Typical symptoms of measles include fever, cough, conjunctivitis and a rash. Complications are quite common even in healthy people, and about 20% of reported measles cases experience one or more complication.
Take-up for the MMR vaccine dropped significantly in the late 1990s when research by Dr Andrew Wakefield - which has since been discredited - raised concerns over the jab, linking it with autism.Take-up for the MMR vaccine dropped significantly in the late 1990s when research by Dr Andrew Wakefield - which has since been discredited - raised concerns over the jab, linking it with autism.
Subsequent media coverage of parents' worries have also been blamed for the low vaccination uptake.Subsequent media coverage of parents' worries have also been blamed for the low vaccination uptake.
But George Edwards, who was editor of the Swansea-based South Wales Evening Post newspaper at the time of the scare, said it was not to blame for the current epidemic.But George Edwards, who was editor of the Swansea-based South Wales Evening Post newspaper at the time of the scare, said it was not to blame for the current epidemic.
He told The Wales Report: "As I saw it, their [parents'] concerns were totally genuine. What were we supposed to do? Tell them to go away?He told The Wales Report: "As I saw it, their [parents'] concerns were totally genuine. What were we supposed to do? Tell them to go away?
"That isn't what newspapers do, newspapers listen to their readers, report what they say, and then they go to the relevant people and say 'what have you got to say about this?' And then they publish that response.""That isn't what newspapers do, newspapers listen to their readers, report what they say, and then they go to the relevant people and say 'what have you got to say about this?' And then they publish that response."
He added that the paper never told parents not to give children the MMR jab.He added that the paper never told parents not to give children the MMR jab.