Measles jab: Plans involve 1 million children

Vaccination plans have been announced with regards to one million children in England

By Nicole Hamer |

12:46 25 April 2013

There has been an announcement from the Department of Health over plans for vaccinations aimed at one million children in England. This follows the recent outbreak of measles in Wales.

 

With regards to the one million children, this relates to those aged between 10 and 16 years old. The plans focus on those children who did not receive MMR vaccinations. The MMR vaccination covers measles, mumps and rubella.

 

Officials are reportedly looking to this following the news that Swansea has witnessed almost 900 cases of measles as of time of press.

 

It is understood the plans could cost £20million.

 

This comes as there is speculation that a number of children may not have received vaccination years ago after research – now discredited – connected MMR together with autism.

 

The Director of Immunisation at the Department of Health, Professor David Salisbury, referred to the situation in Wales. He told the BBC in one report that “Swansea is the wake-up call for parents” with regards to measles.

 

Measles is a viral illness that is infectious. It is understood that it can sometimes lead to serious instances, and in some cases possibly be fatal. According to the NHS website the first symptoms of measles are the following:

• Similar to a cold
• Red eyes or being sensitive to light
• A fever
• Off-colour spots in the mouth