The number of children catching measles is rising so it's important your child is fully protected.
Make sure your child gets the best possible protection from serious illness and disease.
Children should have two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine - the first dose within a month of their first birthday and the second dose at three years and four months or before starting pre-school or school.
They need both doses of the MMR vaccine to be fully protected. If they haven’t had both doses they could be at risk of catching measles.
Yet by their fifth birthday, only 87 per cent of children in eastern and Coastal have had both vaccinations.
Measles is a very infectious disease. It spreads easily and quickly - just a cough or sneeze can spread the measles virus over a wide area.
One in ten children with measles will need hospital treatment because they’ll develop serious complications.
The MMR vaccination is the safest way to protect your child. You will also be protecting them against mumps and rubella, which can also be serious illnesses.
Even if your child has missed an immunisation and is older than the recommended ages it’s never too late to get your child immunised.
If your child needs to have the MMR vaccine, please contact your GP practice to make an appointment.
For more information please speak to your GP or health visitor. Don’t delay, book an appointment today
Babies’ vaccinations
In the UK, children are primarily vaccinated against ten life-threatening illnesses: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Polio, Haemophilus Influenza B (HiB), Pneumococcus, Meningitis C, Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR).
Why vaccinate?
When you vaccinate your baby you are protecting your child from serious diseases like measles, polio or hepatitis, which can kill or cause lasting damage. You are also doing your bit to help stop the spread of these diseases in your community and worldwide.
It’s never too late to get your child immunised. Speak to your health visitor, practice nurse or GP who will be happy to discuss immunisation and ensure you have the information you need to make an informed decision regarding the health of your child.
New measles / MMR poster
Kent and Medway Public Health team has commissioned a new poster to promote MMR vaccination to patients with reduced understanding of English, or those with low literacy.
