This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/apr/17/measles-outbreak-mmr-jab

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Measles outbreak sees 'missing generation' queuing for MMR jab Measles outbreak sees 'missing generation' queuing for MMR jab
(5 months later)
Rebecca Higgins knows what it is like to have measles. She caught it from her elder brother Christian last term. One or other of them probably gave it to their younger brothers William, 10, and Josh, 10 months.Rebecca Higgins knows what it is like to have measles. She caught it from her elder brother Christian last term. One or other of them probably gave it to their younger brothers William, 10, and Josh, 10 months.
"I have never been that ill before. I could not eat properly. I was weak, dizzy and the room shook sometimes," said 14-year-old Rebecca. "I had spots. I couldn't see any of my friends.""I have never been that ill before. I could not eat properly. I was weak, dizzy and the room shook sometimes," said 14-year-old Rebecca. "I had spots. I couldn't see any of my friends."
Rebecca had never had the MMR vaccination, recommended in two doses to infants at 13 months and at three years. Now she wants the jab to make sure she never has mumps or rubella: "All my friends are having it now."Rebecca had never had the MMR vaccination, recommended in two doses to infants at 13 months and at three years. Now she wants the jab to make sure she never has mumps or rubella: "All my friends are having it now."
She and one of her best friends, Ruby Durk, 13, were among scores of pupils at Bishop Gore comprehensive in Swansea lining up to ensure they were fully vaccinated not only against measles, but mumps and rubella.She and one of her best friends, Ruby Durk, 13, were among scores of pupils at Bishop Gore comprehensive in Swansea lining up to ensure they were fully vaccinated not only against measles, but mumps and rubella.
They are among the 5,000 children and young adults in the Swansea area still regarded at risk of catching the highly infectious disease in the worst outbreak in the UK for years. Latest figures suggest 765 people have had it or are still suffering. Of those, 77 have needed hospital treatment.They are among the 5,000 children and young adults in the Swansea area still regarded at risk of catching the highly infectious disease in the worst outbreak in the UK for years. Latest figures suggest 765 people have had it or are still suffering. Of those, 77 have needed hospital treatment.
Ten- to 18-year-olds are most at risk, part of a "missing generation" who did not have the inoculation amid the controversy that surrounded the now disgraced Andrew Wakefield's floating of a link between MMR and autism.Ten- to 18-year-olds are most at risk, part of a "missing generation" who did not have the inoculation amid the controversy that surrounded the now disgraced Andrew Wakefield's floating of a link between MMR and autism.
A row that started in late 1998 and continued well into the new century is now having its consequences.A row that started in late 1998 and continued well into the new century is now having its consequences.
Catch-up clinics at weekends, hard work by GPs checking immunisation records, and now vaccination sessions at local schools are key measures in attempts to reverse the steady rise in infection numbers. Health officials do not want their city to be the first in the UK in five years to record a death from measles.Catch-up clinics at weekends, hard work by GPs checking immunisation records, and now vaccination sessions at local schools are key measures in attempts to reverse the steady rise in infection numbers. Health officials do not want their city to be the first in the UK in five years to record a death from measles.
Ruby had one injection when she was a baby and was belatedly getting round to the second. "When Rebecca had it [measles], I was very worried. I am very close to her. I also have a sister who had a baby five days ago and I really want to see her," she said.Ruby had one injection when she was a baby and was belatedly getting round to the second. "When Rebecca had it [measles], I was very worried. I am very close to her. I also have a sister who had a baby five days ago and I really want to see her," she said.
Tomi Garland, 16, has just had measles too, shortly before the Easter holiday. "I felt really awful, really bad. I enjoy sport, rugby, football, surfing but I could barely move. I lost a stone. I couldn't move or function. I had to stay in a darkened room because of my eyes."Tomi Garland, 16, has just had measles too, shortly before the Easter holiday. "I felt really awful, really bad. I enjoy sport, rugby, football, surfing but I could barely move. I lost a stone. I couldn't move or function. I had to stay in a darkened room because of my eyes."
He had not been vaccinated before because of the autism scare. Some years ago, he had mumps. Now he was making sure he wouldn't have rubella as well.He had not been vaccinated before because of the autism scare. Some years ago, he had mumps. Now he was making sure he wouldn't have rubella as well.
Fergal Jowett, a year 9 pupil, was also laid low a few weeks ago. "I felt nauseous and dizzy. My parents were worried about [the MMR] giving me autism but it has been proved safe now."Fergal Jowett, a year 9 pupil, was also laid low a few weeks ago. "I felt nauseous and dizzy. My parents were worried about [the MMR] giving me autism but it has been proved safe now."
For some, this was the first time they had been inoculated against the three diseases and they will need another jab after a month's break.For some, this was the first time they had been inoculated against the three diseases and they will need another jab after a month's break.
Twins Lauren and Olivia Rees were back for their second, even though their mother's family has a history of bad reactions to inoculation. The 12-year-olds' father, Tim Rees said the qualms had gone away when a teacher who had been infected told him just how bad the disease could be.Twins Lauren and Olivia Rees were back for their second, even though their mother's family has a history of bad reactions to inoculation. The 12-year-olds' father, Tim Rees said the qualms had gone away when a teacher who had been infected told him just how bad the disease could be.
The girls had their first jab a month ago. They did have reactions, particularly Lauren, who told how days later, "I was in school and my head started feeling as if it was swelling up. My face was covered in a rash."The girls had their first jab a month ago. They did have reactions, particularly Lauren, who told how days later, "I was in school and my head started feeling as if it was swelling up. My face was covered in a rash."
That condition is charmingly known as "slapface". But Rees said: "Relatively minor side-effects are a small price to pay in comparison to their contracting fully-blown measles."That condition is charmingly known as "slapface". But Rees said: "Relatively minor side-effects are a small price to pay in comparison to their contracting fully-blown measles."
Isabel Stevens, 29, is one of three teachers at the school who have fallen ill so far. "I came back after eight days. I was not contagious. I am very careful because my mum has a condition that affects her immune system. I couldn't go to see her. She wasn't allowed to see me. My husband had to take a week's holiday to look after me," said the English and media teacher.Isabel Stevens, 29, is one of three teachers at the school who have fallen ill so far. "I came back after eight days. I was not contagious. I am very careful because my mum has a condition that affects her immune system. I couldn't go to see her. She wasn't allowed to see me. My husband had to take a week's holiday to look after me," said the English and media teacher.
Children had fallen ill just weeks before they complete their GCSEs, she added: "They are behind on their revision. It is sad."Children had fallen ill just weeks before they complete their GCSEs, she added: "They are behind on their revision. It is sad."
Headteacher Ryan Davies said that so far 35 pupils are known to have had the disease or shown symptoms. But a total of 350 among the 1,100 boys and girls may still be susceptible because they were not fully vaccinated.Headteacher Ryan Davies said that so far 35 pupils are known to have had the disease or shown symptoms. But a total of 350 among the 1,100 boys and girls may still be susceptible because they were not fully vaccinated.
Letters went to their parents on Monday seeking permission to vaccinate. Davies said he had had responses from about a third. "My concern is there is still an amount of apathy. Parents and carers are having this conversation about measles in their front room. I think they should be coming here to talk to health professionals."Letters went to their parents on Monday seeking permission to vaccinate. Davies said he had had responses from about a third. "My concern is there is still an amount of apathy. Parents and carers are having this conversation about measles in their front room. I think they should be coming here to talk to health professionals."
Sara Hayes, public health director for the local Abertawe, Bro and Morgannwg health board, is among those who blame the coverage of the Wakefield claims in the local paper, the South Wales Evening Post, for the lack of protection among today's teenagers. Parents were simply doing what they thought best for their children, she said.Sara Hayes, public health director for the local Abertawe, Bro and Morgannwg health board, is among those who blame the coverage of the Wakefield claims in the local paper, the South Wales Evening Post, for the lack of protection among today's teenagers. Parents were simply doing what they thought best for their children, she said.
Prominent local people and the paper should have given a more balanced view, Hayes added. "People can be easily frightened. We have assured people it is a safe and effective intervention. Our young mums and dads now are very happy with MMR. We have 93% coverage with the first dose by the age of two. It is probably higher now [because of the recent publicity]."Prominent local people and the paper should have given a more balanced view, Hayes added. "People can be easily frightened. We have assured people it is a safe and effective intervention. Our young mums and dads now are very happy with MMR. We have 93% coverage with the first dose by the age of two. It is probably higher now [because of the recent publicity]."
The criticism of the Evening Post's reporting of Wakefield's claims – it was not the finest hour for the media across the UK – was tackled by George Edwards, editor of the paper at the time, when he told the BBC at the weekend that it should not be held responsible for the present crisis.The criticism of the Evening Post's reporting of Wakefield's claims – it was not the finest hour for the media across the UK – was tackled by George Edwards, editor of the paper at the time, when he told the BBC at the weekend that it should not be held responsible for the present crisis.
"As I saw it, [the readers'] concerns were totally genuine," he said. "What were we supposed to do? Tell them to go away?""As I saw it, [the readers'] concerns were totally genuine," he said. "What were we supposed to do? Tell them to go away?"
Edwards insisted it was "impossible to have regrets" and said even if the clock was wound back, "I can't imagine why we wouldn't do it the same way."Edwards insisted it was "impossible to have regrets" and said even if the clock was wound back, "I can't imagine why we wouldn't do it the same way."
Authorities in Wales are no longer recording laboratory-confirmed cases; they are satisfied when a child or teenager shows signs of measles – cold-like symptoms, red eyes, sensitivity to light, fever, greyish white spots in the mouth and throat and then a red-brown spotty rash. How the figures are reported at the end of the year will therefore be interesting – English authorities are still separating figures into confirmed and reported/suspected. Even before the Swansea crisis, confirmed measles cases across the two countries at the end of 2012 were running at their highest for many years.Authorities in Wales are no longer recording laboratory-confirmed cases; they are satisfied when a child or teenager shows signs of measles – cold-like symptoms, red eyes, sensitivity to light, fever, greyish white spots in the mouth and throat and then a red-brown spotty rash. How the figures are reported at the end of the year will therefore be interesting – English authorities are still separating figures into confirmed and reported/suspected. Even before the Swansea crisis, confirmed measles cases across the two countries at the end of 2012 were running at their highest for many years.
There were 2,030 cases last year, nearly twice the figure in 2011. In 1998, the year of Wakefield's first appearance on the national stage, there were 56.There were 2,030 cases last year, nearly twice the figure in 2011. In 1998, the year of Wakefield's first appearance on the national stage, there were 56.
Health officials have long feared the consequences of a lack of immunisation in a "missing generation" of older children – the 10- to 18-year-olds whose parents, for whatever reason, did not get them immunised as infants.Health officials have long feared the consequences of a lack of immunisation in a "missing generation" of older children – the 10- to 18-year-olds whose parents, for whatever reason, did not get them immunised as infants.
While 94% of two-year-olds across Wales have had their first MMR jab and just under 90% of five-year-olds have had both doses, 13.6% of two- to 18-year-olds have had no jab or just one. (The first jab gives good protection, but the second gives better.)While 94% of two-year-olds across Wales have had their first MMR jab and just under 90% of five-year-olds have had both doses, 13.6% of two- to 18-year-olds have had no jab or just one. (The first jab gives good protection, but the second gives better.)
The position in Swansea and surrounding areas was worse, with 15.7% of two- to 18-year-olds being insufficiently protected. This, as in many other parts of Britain, has left thousands of children at risk if the measles took hold among friends and fellow pupils.The position in Swansea and surrounding areas was worse, with 15.7% of two- to 18-year-olds being insufficiently protected. This, as in many other parts of Britain, has left thousands of children at risk if the measles took hold among friends and fellow pupils.
North-east England is now experiencing an unwelcome, albeit less serious outbreak. Last year it was Merseyside and Sussex. On Teesside, doctors are warning parents against taking children with symptoms to A&E unless they are very seriously ill – and if they have to go, to phone ahead to warn staff.North-east England is now experiencing an unwelcome, albeit less serious outbreak. Last year it was Merseyside and Sussex. On Teesside, doctors are warning parents against taking children with symptoms to A&E unless they are very seriously ill – and if they have to go, to phone ahead to warn staff.
Numerous catch-up campaigns in London, as elsewhere, have been launched, but in Kensington and Chelsea, where rich and poor rub shoulders most conspicuously, less than 70% of children have had two MMR jabs by five, according to figures for the last quarter of 2012.Numerous catch-up campaigns in London, as elsewhere, have been launched, but in Kensington and Chelsea, where rich and poor rub shoulders most conspicuously, less than 70% of children have had two MMR jabs by five, according to figures for the last quarter of 2012.
It is a long time since the 1950s and 60s, when up to 750,000 measles cases were reported each year in England and Wales and deaths were sometimes well into triple figures. The MMR vaccine phased in from the late 1980s promised relief.It is a long time since the 1950s and 60s, when up to 750,000 measles cases were reported each year in England and Wales and deaths were sometimes well into triple figures. The MMR vaccine phased in from the late 1980s promised relief.
But the magic figure of 95% of the age group being inoculated to provide so-called herd immunity – the critical mass which protects a community from the contagious disease – is proving hard to achieve. Even as vaccination rates rise, so have the laboratory confirmations of measles infections.But the magic figure of 95% of the age group being inoculated to provide so-called herd immunity – the critical mass which protects a community from the contagious disease – is proving hard to achieve. Even as vaccination rates rise, so have the laboratory confirmations of measles infections.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.