Measles cases are rising in England. Make sure your child is up to date with their MMR vaccinations.

What is Measles? What is MMR? 

Measles is a highly infectious disease which can lead to serious illness.  

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides excellent protection against measles and is free on the NHS. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, uptake of routine childhood immunisations has fallen globally, leaving many children unprotected from serious infections and communities at increased risk of outbreaks.  

This is particularly important to do before the summer holidays, when many families will be travelling abroad. 

Children are offered the first dose of the MMR vaccine at one year and the second dose at 3 years 4 months, but they can be given with as little as a one month gap between doses, depending on age. 

What should you do? 

To see if your child is up to date with their MMR vaccine, check their red book, or contact your GP practice. If anyone has missed one or both doses of the MMR vaccine, contact your GP practice to book an appointment.  

It’s never too late to catch up on your MMR vaccination-  

Families are advised to contact their GP practice to check they and their children are up to date. 

Visit nhs.uk/MMR for more information