Date published: 3 April 2024
Mersey Care is backing a Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine offer being provided at selected Cheshire and Merseyside pharmacies for the first time thanks to a new initiative being trialled in the North West.
The pilot is supporting a national call and recall of under-vaccinated children and help increase MMR vaccines with 14 pharmacies across Cheshire and Merseyside becoming the first in the country to take part.
Uptake of both doses of vaccine, which is usually given to children aged one and then a second vaccine at around three years and four months, is 85.2 percent in the North West – and lower than 80 percent in some areas – which like many parts of the country is significantly lower than the World Health Organisation target of 95 percent coverage with two doses of MMR vaccine by age five.
Tricia Spedding, Regional Deputy Head of Public Health for NHS England North West, said: “Measles is a highly infectious illness – complications can be life changing with dangers including blindness, deafness and swelling of the brain.
"Children who have not yet had both doses of the MMR vaccination are at risk of catching this very serious but completely preventable disease.
“By offering the MMR vaccine in pharmacies to children who missed one or both doses, we are hoping to make it easier and more convenient for parents to get their children protected."
Parents with children aged five to 11 who are overdue one or both doses of MMR will be able to just walk in to one of the selected pharmacies, with no appointment needed, although there may be a short wait if the pharmacist is busy. GP practices will also be able to refer patients for MMR vaccination in a participating pharmacy.
The full list of participating pharmacies across the area can be found on the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside website.
The pharmacy scheme is one of a number of initiatives that have been introduced in the North West over the past two months to increase MMR vaccine uptake in response to rising measles cases. Other schemes include:
- the introduction of vaccine catch-up clinics in general practice, including evening and weekend sessions.
- roving and outreach vaccine clinics in the community, including the Living Well Bus in Cheshire and Merseyside.
- extra vaccination sessions being put on by school aged immunisation providers in schools in some areas where uptake is lower.
In addition, GPs are continuing to call those aged 12 months to five for vaccination and parents of children who are due or have missed their MMR vaccines are being urged to come forward as soon as possible.
Children need two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first dose given around their first birthday and the second dose given at three years and four months old. Both doses are required to ensure full and lasting protection against MMR.
Parents can check their child’s vaccination status in their red book (health record) or by contacting their GP practice.
Measles symptoms include:
- high fever
- sore, red, watery eyes
- coughing
- aching and feeling generally unwell
- a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms.
If people develop any symptoms of measles, they should contact their GP by phone. Please do not go to your GP, walk-in centre or any other healthcare setting without calling ahead, as measles is very infectious and so arrangements can be made to prevent others from being infected.
