NHS Lothian is offering MMR vaccines to children and young people under 25 who have yet to have one or two doses, amid rising numbers of measles cases across the UK and Europe.
Public Health Scotland has confirmed there have been five cases of measles in Scotland since October 2023, all of which have been linked to travel.
Measles is an infection that spreads very easily. It’s unpleasant and can sometimes have serious complications, including infections of the lungs (pneumonia) and brain (encephalitis).
NHS Scotland offers two doses of the MMR vaccine to children at around 12 to 13 months, and 3 years 4 months. If it is missed at these times, it can be given at any age.
NHS Lothian has sent letters to the parents of around 18,000 children and young people across Lothian who’ve missed one or both of their MMR vaccines, with 1,300 coming forward so far.
Dona Milne, Director of Public Health & Health Policy, NHS Lothian said: “Having the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to protect against measles.
“Given the situation in Europe and parts of the UK, we’ve proactively reached out to the parents of children and young people who’ve missed one or both doses of the MMR vaccine to offer this again.
“There are over 20 vaccination clinics across Lothian offering the MMR vaccine. I’d encourage parents to check their child’s Red Book and, if they are missing one or both MMR doses, please call us on 0300 790 6296 to arrange an appointment to catch-up.”
The first signs and symptoms of measles can include a fever, cold-like symptoms, conjunctivitis-like symptoms and a rash that appears around two-four days after initial symptoms. Please call your child’s GP or NHS 24 on 111 outwith normal GP practice hours if you suspect they may have measles. For more information on the MMR vaccines in Lothian, visit NHS Lothian’s website.
