Hundreds of children miss their MMR jabs
Hundreds of children are at risk of long-term health complications because they have not had the MMR jab.
Children are supposed to have had two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination by their fifth birthday.
But in 2009/2010 only 82 per cent of youngsters in Portsmouth had the full dose of the vaccination, leaving 400 children in the city unprotected. The target uptake is 95 per cent, recommended by the World Health Organisation as needed to protect a community.
Now NHS Portsmouth is urging parents to get their children vaccinated to avoid an outbreak of the potentially serious diseases, which can lead to complications such as brain infections, deafness and infertility.
Matt Pickerill, development manager for health protection for NHS Portsmouth, said: 'By the time a child is five they should have had the full MMR but for various reasons the rates have been low, much lower than the other vaccinations.
'It could be because of the time lapse between the two doses. Whereas other vaccines are just one injection. Or parents might just have forgotten if their child has had the second dose.
'But it's important to get the two doses because the diseases are entirely preventable with them.'
He added: 'The negative press did have a significant effect on MMR uptake rates, and understandably so considering what was being said at the time. However since this, numerous large international studies have been conducted since Andrew Wakefield's study and have shown no link between MMR and autism.
'As with the other childhood vaccines, MMR has been shown to be a safe and effective vaccine.'
MMR is one of three vaccinations that has a low uptake in the city. The others are the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer and the seasonal flu vaccine – see panels.
But MMR is of particular concern because of the potential for an outbreak if not enough people are protected, which has happened elsewhere in the country.
Mr Pickerill said: 'People don't often see these diseases and so perhaps forget about them and think they're not a problem any more.
'There is a chance (an outbreak) can happen if uptake is low.
'It is getting better in Portsmouth. The uptake was 78 per cent in 2008/09, but it still needs to improve.
'The chance of an outbreak dips dramatically the higher the rate of the uptake of the vaccine.'
Measles mumps and rubella can all cause long-term complications.
Measles, which is a highly infectious virus, can result in deafness, blindness, heart and nervous system problems, and serious brain complications.
There were 21 confirmed cases of measles in Portsmouth in 2009/2019.
Mumps can result in meningitis, brain infections, painful swelling of the testicles which can lead to infertility, and deafness.
Rubella is generally a mild disease but becomes serious if a baby gets it when inside its mother's womb. They can die, or be born with birth defects such as brain damage, heart defects, deafness and blindness.
FLU IS ALSO A WORRY
It is not just the uptake of children's vaccinations that is a problem in Portsmouth.
The number of people missing out on the seasonal flu jab is also of great concern.
Anyone over 65, and people under 65 with long-term illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, heart or kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are offered the jab.
In 2008/09, 74 per cent in the over 65 age group took up the invite for the flu jab, just short of the 75 per cent target. But that still left 7,000 people who did not have the vaccination.
And with the under 65s with health conditions, the uptake was just 53 per cent. It meant approximately 9,000 under 65s at risk of complications if they got flu, did not have the jab.
Kate Lees, vaccination lead for NHS Portsmouth, said: 'We really need to improve the uptake in Portsmouth.
'I know many people will just think it's only flu and I'll get a cold and that's that, but those with health conditions could suffer complications. It's just one jab that could avoid any illness.'
'GET ALL THREE DOSES FOR FULL PROTECTION' PLEA
Despite the public battle reality TV star Jade Goody had with cervical cancer, hundreds of teenage girls in Portsmouth are still not having the vaccination to protect themselves against the disease.
The vaccine is done is three doses, and while many teenagers will have the first one or two, too many are ignoring the third and final dose.
In 2008/09, 1,000 girls aged 13 did not receive the three doses of the vaccine in Portsmouth.
Matt Pickerill, development manager for health protection for NHS Portsmouth, said: 'Again it could be like the MMR where there's a time lapse between the doses. Girls might forget.
'If you've had the first two doses you are protected to a degree, But you need all three to get the full protection.
'We really would urge teenage girls to make sure they have the full vaccination and if they're not sure if they have, to check with their GP. They will know.'
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Friday 25 May 2012
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