Local NHS services are urging parents and carers to book their children in for their missed measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, as measles cases continue to rise across the country.

Parents of children aged six to 11 years old are being contacted by NHS teams encouraging them to make an appointment with their child’s GP practice for their missed MMR vaccine.  

A number of children under 16 across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) are not fully vaccinated. This means they are unprotected and at risk of catching these serious and completely preventable infections.

There is misinformation around the MMR vaccine which is shared on social media and other online channels. These myths have been consistently debunked and it’s important people get information from trusted sources like the World Health Organisation (WHO) or NHS. MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Rachael Corser, Chief Nursing Officer for BOB Integrated Care Board said: “If you or your child are not fully vaccinated against measles you can get catch-up jabs at your GP. And for school age children, School Immunisation Teams continue to visit local schools regularly.

“Measles is a serious illness, with one in five children who get the disease having to be admitted to hospital for treatment, so if you or your child have not had your MMR jab, it is vital you come forward.”

Measles can be serious at any age. If caught during pregnancy it can cause stillbirth, miscarriage and low birth weight and NHS bosses are urging young adults to catch up on any missed doses before thinking about starting a family.

Two doses of the safe and effective MMR vaccine are needed for maximum life-long protection. The first dose of MMR is given around the child’s first birthday, and the second dose given at around three years and four months old.

After two doses:

  • around 99% of people will be protected against measles and rubella
  • around 88% of people will be protected against mumps

However, anyone can catch up at any age on any missed doses and it’s never too late to protect yourself.

Find out more about local vaccination clinics at:

Analysis shows one infected child in a classroom can infect up to nine other unvaccinated children, making it one of the most infectious diseases worldwide; and more infectious than COVID-19. Meanwhile, one in five children with measles, will need to be admitted to hospital for treatment.

Find out more about the different vaccines their child should have and when by visiting www.nhs.uk and searching for ‘NHS vaccinations and when to have them.