Supporting parents and carers to get children vaccinated against MMR

The NHS has launched a campaign to try and boost take-up of the MMR vaccine which is at its lowest rate for a decade.

The jab protects children from contracting measles, mumps and rubella and is offered in two doses by their registered GP surgery — the first when they turn one and the second at around three years and four months, before they start nursery or school.

However currently only 85.5% of five year olds have had both doses and the health service wants to increase that rate to 95%.

It is hoped the campaign will raise awareness of the MMR vaccine amongst parents and carers to help drive uptake of both doses in eligible children aged one-five years, and to encourage those that may have missed their appointments during the pandemic to come forward.

Highlighting the risks

Measles is highly contagious with 90 per cent of children contracting it if they are exposed but not vaccinated.

And it can make them extremely ill and lead to complications such as brain inflammation, pneumonia and in rare cases, death.

The and the are therefore calling on parents and guardians to ensure their children are up to date with the MMR vaccine, and all other routine childhood immunisations.

Reaching out to parents and carers

Early years providers are seen as having a role to play too — encouraging take-up of the vaccine by offering information and support to parents who may not be aware of the vaccine, may have forgotten to book appointments or who may be unsure about whether to get their child vaccinated.

New research commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and UKHSA, shows that many parents are not aware of the risks measles poses to their unvaccinated children.

Out of 2,000 parents and guardians of children aged 5 and under:

almost half (48%) are not aware that measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation
only 4 in 10 (38%) are aware measles can be fatal
more than half of parents (56%) are not aware that 2 doses of the MMR vaccine gives 99% protection against measles and rubella.

Improving parent/carer confidence

By highlighting the risks of measles, mumps and rubella, it is hoped that parents will see getting their children vaccinated is the right thing to do.

Health agencies hope the campaign will provide an additional prompt to parents who have forgotten that this is something that they need to do (without guilting them).

�� can talk to parents about the vaccine and then ask them to contact their GP to make an appointment if they think their child is missing one or both doses.

Or, if a parent is unsure, providers can offer more information by providing leaflets and pointing them to the NHS website.

There are links to leaflets and posters that can be downloaded and used in your setting below.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and medical director for primary care at NHS England, said: "It is incredibly important that all parents and guardians ensure their child is up to date with their routine vaccinations, including MMR, as these vaccines give children crucial protection against serious and potentially deadly illnesses and stop outbreaks in the community."

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