Report calls for targeted action to help prevent Measles outbreaks in Wales
A new study has highlighted the need to increase Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination uptake in key groups and certain areas across Wales.
The modelling report published by Public Health Wales investigates the potential for Measles outbreaks and shows that most areas in Wales are well protected and unlikely to sustain widespread community transmission of measles.
University towns
However, the report highlights that some locations – particularly in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and university towns such as Aberystwyth and Bangor – have pockets of lower vaccination coverage.
In these areas, the spread of the highly contagious virus could be driven by transmission among teenagers and young adults.
The modelling found that the highest risk for sustained transmission exists in the 18-24 age group, particularly in urban centres and university settings. It also identifies young people aged 11-17 as a key group in several areas with moderate uptake.
Measles is preventable with two doses of the MMR vaccine. Staying up to date with vaccinations remains the most effective way to stop its spread. There are risks involved with not being vaccinated, including those who are vulnerable including babies, pregnant women who have not received the vaccine, older people and those with weaker immune systems.
National campaign
A national MMR campaign in 2024 successfully delivered over 5,500 MMR doses to school-aged children. Despite this, over 200 primary schools and 25 secondary schools in Wales still have recorded two-dose uptake rates below 90 per cent, which leaves them more vulnerable to outbreaks.
Dr Christopher Johnson, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at Public Health Wales, said: “This report shows us where we need to focus our efforts to protect individuals and communities from measles. The vast majority of Wales remains at low risk, but we must act now to reduce the risk further.
“By focusing on the age groups and locations identified in the report, we can prevent future outbreaks and protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”
Public Health Wales is urging anyone who is unsure their own or their child’s MMR vaccination status to check with their GP or local health board.
More information on MMR including eligibility for the vaccine is available here.
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Covid anti vax types must carry a lot of blame here. Kids are dying from something we can vaccinate against. But someone on facebook said its bad.
One cartoon I saw has a doctor explaining he joined the dots on a measles suffer and it spelled “my parents are idiots”.
Think we need a bit more stick here. There is no excuse whatsoever for not getting children vaccinated against measles etc. It really is little short of child neglect and parents should face fines etc for not doing so. It all feels a little too softly, softly.
Agreed, more stick is needed.
Parents are offered a free vaccination that will protect their child and those around them. If they don’t want their child vaccinated that’s fine, BUT they should then be required to pay fully for the treatment of their child and anyone else they infected.
Measles kills 1/1000 people it infects, even in the UK. I can’t think of any other activities where parents would willingly and proudly accept a 1 in 1000 chance of their child dying.
As mentioned, the youtube medical experts that spread the antivax nonsense need to be held to account on this.
It’s child neglect and should be dealt with effectively.