By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
The director of public health at Nottingham City Council says a local outbreak of measles could be “very serious” if the disease does take hold following a fall in vaccination rates.
Around one in five cases of the infection require a hospital visit and it can be fatal in some sufferers.
Highly infectious and starting with cold-like symptoms leading on to a rash, in can sometimes cause complications such as pneumonia and meningitis.
But the development of the MMR vaccine meant it became extremely rare, before small clusters of cases began to appear in recent years.
Two cases of measles were confirmed in Leicester earlier this month.
Seven children in Cardiff were also confirmed to have the infection in the past six weeks.
The possibility of an outbreak in Nottingham was discussed at the city council health and wellbeing board meeting on November 29.
NHS figures show the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine uptake is at its lowest since 2010-11.
Around 84.5 per cent of children have received both doses by age five – the World Health Organisation recommended rate is 95 per cent.
Lower MMR uptake in the early 2000s was caused by a theory that the jab could cause autism. Studies since then have repeatedly proven there is no link.
Lucy Hubber, director of public health for Nottingham City Council, said: “We are seeing an increase nationally around measles.
“We have already got plans in place to increase and encourage uptake of all childhood vaccinations.
“It is really important that we are proactive where we have an opportunity.
“We have very low vaccination rates post-Covid and the risks should we get an outbreak could actually be very serious.
“It’s something we will be looking at increasingly.”
Dr Husein Mawji, a member of the board and the Clinical Director for Nottingham City Place Based Partnership, said: “In my entire career I have never seen one case of measles. I am terrified that this winter, or in coming winters, I might see many.
“It’s a completely preventable illness.
“We all need to own the message of promotion of vaccination to our citizens, not just for the MMR but for all vaccinations.
“I would encourage all to commit to that message of vaccination.”
Cllr Linda Woodings (Lab) said: “Before Covid, I was told that only 50 per cent of people in Basford who were eligible had gone and got their flu vaccine.
“I put it out on my social media saying that we were expecting a serious flu strain.
“It prompts people to think about it.”
