Please read the attached letter from Public Health re recent Measles outbreak in Liverpool. 

To all Schools, Nurseries and Alternative Education Providers in Cheshire and Merseyside

There is a measles outbreak in Liverpool affecting unimmunised children. Measles is highly infectious and I would be grateful if you could share the message below with parents and guardians of children in your care.

Please exclude any child with suspected measles for 5 days after onset of rash. Staff members can get MMR vaccine from their GP if they require it. MMR vaccine can be given to adults of any age.

MESSAGE FOR ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS ABOUT MEASLES AND MMR VACCINE

There is a measles outbreak in Liverpool affecting unvaccinated children. Measles is highly infectious. It can cause serious illness and can sometimes be fatal. Vaccination with 2 doses of MMR is the only way to protect children and young people.

The first MMR vaccine is given to toddlers at the age of 13 months and the second injection at around 3 years and 4 months before your child goes to school. MMR can be given to older children, teenagers and young adults if they missed their injections when they were younger.

Contact your GP practice if your child needs an MMR vaccine. The vaccine is free. If you are not sure if your child needs an MMR vaccine, you can contact the GP to ask.

Measles is not just a little kids’ problem. Teenagers, young adults and anyone who has missed their MMR vaccination can get measles.

The first signs of measles are

• Fever
• Cough, runny nose and red sore eyes
• After a few days, a spotty rash appears. It starts on the face and neck and spreads to the rest of the body.

If you think your child has measles, ring your GP practice for advice. Don’t turn up to the surgery; walk in centre or to Accident and Emergency without calling ahead. The doctor will make special arrangements to see your child so that if your child has measles – they won’t pass it on to others.

Keep people with symptoms of measles away from others to avoid spreading measles, and stay away from school, nursery or work for 5 days after the onset of rash.

 

Travel advice: There are large outbreaks of measles currently in Romania, Italy or Germany. Make sure you are up to date with your MMR vaccine if you are planning to travel to these countries.

If you would like more information, see https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/

Yours sincerely

 

Matthew Ashton Mike McSorley

Director of Public Health Head of Schools and Families