This important message has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Public Health Lead (Children & Young People), Uche Obasohan for the attention of All Schools.
A message from Thames Valley NHS England Immunisation Team
Slough has one of the lowest uptake rates of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination in the South East region. This, coupled with it's close proximity to London, where cases of measles are on the rise, means that Slough is at a higher risk of a possible measles outbreak.
Measles is a highly infectious disease, especially within schools:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-dont-let-your-child-catch-it-flyer-for-schools/measles-information-for-schools-and-healthcare-centres.
Measles can be very serious, leading to ear and chest infections, fits, diarrhoea, and damage to the brain. Measles can kill. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are needed to get the best protection.
NHS England have launched a national MMR catch-up campaign. Over the next few months, children aged 6 to 11 who are missing one or two doses of the MMR vaccine will be invited to contact their GP practice to check their immunisation history and book an appointment for the MMR vaccination. The Berkshire School-Aged Immunisation Team will also be holding community clinics for school children.
We would appreciate your support with the national campaign by signposting parents to the resources below or sharing via your usual communication channels.
Resources for parents:
MMR vaccination (publishing.service.gov.uk)
MEASLES - Don’t let your child catch it - Schools version (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Dear Parents/Carers,
You may have noticed the recent BBC news coverage on the increase in measles outbreaks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cqee2qz4vk1t. Measles is a highly infectious disease, especially within schools, and can be very serious.
NHS England has launched a national MMR catch-up campaign. Over the next few months, children aged 6 to 11 who are missing one or two doses of the MMR vaccine will be invited to contact their GP practice to check their immunisation history and book an appointment for the MMR vaccination. Your local Children's Immunisation Team will also be holding local community clinics for 6- to 11-year-olds.
You can find more information about measles and the MMR vaccination below:
https://vaccineknowledge.ox.ac.uk/measles (with google translate to select your preferred language)
MEASLES - Don’t let your child catch it - Schools version (publishing.service.gov.uk)
MMR vaccination (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Kind regards,
Jatinder Matharu, Education Safeguarding Professional