With measles cases rising locally, Walsall parents and carers are being urged to check their child’s vaccination status.

The infection spreads very easily and can cause serious ill-health in some people.

The facts:

• If unvaccinated, nine out of ten children in a classroom will catch measles from an infected classmate
• One in five children will need a hospital visit
• One in 15 children will get serious complications such as meningitis or sepsis.

Preventing measles

Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent measles and protect our communities. A child needs two doses to be fully protected.

The MMR vaccine is one of the most studied vaccines and millions of doses are given every year – this means it is safe to be given to your child. For more information on how to check their vaccination record, visit nhs.uk/mmr

Make sure your child has two MMR vaccines on time –  the first at one year of age and the second at three years, four months.

As an adult, it’s important to check you’ve had both doses if you:

• are about to start college or university
• are going to travel abroad
• are planning to get pregnant
• are a frontline health or social care worker
• are aged between 19-25

If you or your children missed these vaccines, it’s not too late. Make an informed choice and find out more about the free vaccine. Visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine/ to learn more.

Ask your GP surgery for a vaccination appointment or attend one of the following clinics:

• Saturday 27 January, 9am-1.30pm, South & Central Locality Hub, Birchills Street, Walsall, WS2 8NF. To book an appointment call 01922 902035.
• Saturday 3 February, 9am-3pm, vaccination van located outside Poundland/Pep&Co in Walsall Town Centre, Lower Hall Lane, St Matthews Quarter, WS1 1PU. Walk in, no appointment needed.

Parents who are unsure if their child is up to date can check their child’s Red Book (personal child health record), check on the NHS app, or contact their GP practice.

Find details of other clinics across the Black Country, online.

Know the symptoms

High fever, sore/red/watery eyes, coughing, aching, feeling generally unwell and a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after initial symptoms.

If you have symptoms of measles, stay at home and call 111 or get help from 111 online.

You and your family should stay off nursery, school, or work for at least four days from when the rash first appears. Measles usually starts to get better in about a week. Read the NHS guidance on how to look after yourself or your child.