Getting measles vaccination 'essential'
There's a push to get more children protected ahead of the return to school
Health experts are urging parents across Merseyside and Cheshire to make sure their children are protected against measles, ahead of the return to school next week.
Since the start of this year, there have been 674 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England - with 111 of those in the North West.
An open letter was sent to parents and carers across Merseyside earlier this summer from Alder Hey Children's Hospital, UKSHA and Directors of Public Health for Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley, following an increase in cases.
One child died at Alder Hey after contracting measles, with 'several children' also becoming seriously unwell and needing hospital treatment.
Dr. Paula Cowan, Wirral GP and North West Regional Director for Primary Care, said:
"It's essential that children are vaccinated. It's hugely important that children are vaccinated and we encourage and support parents in understanding why vaccinations are important.
Also, encouraging them in advising them where t go to get their children vaccinated. The ones we talk about, mainly around MMR, we've seen in recent years increased rates and frequency of measles.
"Measles isn't just a rash, it a condition that can cause some serious complications like eye problems, sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, and actually can be fatal in some cases, so it's hugely important that children are vaccinated against this virus."
Pop-up vaccination clinics have been set up across the region over the summer in an attempt to boost vaccine uptake.
Anyone who thinks they, or their child, has measles is urged to call their GP surgery or NHS 111 first before turning up to a healthcare setting like a GP practice, urgent treatment centre or A&E department.