Two-dose MMR plea in mumps' rise alert
Health professionals are urging children and young adults to get vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella – after reports of mumps trebling across the East Midlands.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) in the East Midlands, has sent out a warning to children and young adults to make sure they are protected with two doses of the MMR vaccine.
New figures from the HPA show there were 1,586 notifications of mumps reported up to September 2009, compared to 504 notifications in 2008.
Older teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 24-years-old are most affected in the East Midlands.
The HPA said that latest figures showed there had so far this year been 179 measles' notifications in Northamptonshire and six confirmed cases.
Dr Vanessa MacGregor, a consultant in communicable disease for the HPA, said that the rise in cases highlights the importance of MMR vaccination.
She said: "The majority of mumps cases have either not been immunised with the MMR vaccine or have only one dose.
"School-leavers and other young adults who have not received the MMR or only received one dose, should ensure that they take up the offer of MMR vaccination.
"Mumps can cause central nervous system disorders such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis."
To be fully protected, children need to have two doses of the MMR vaccine.
They usually receive the first dose at the age of 13 months and the second dose at the age of three.
For more information about mumps and measles visit the Health Protection Agency's website at www.hpa.org.uk.
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