Measles

Measles is a viral infection most commonly found in young children who have not been immunised. However, adults can also catch measles if they have not had it before or have not been immunised against it. People who have been vaccinated but have weakened immunity can also catch it.

It begins with fever that lasts for a couple of days followed by a cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis (red, sore eyes). The rash starts on the face and upper neck, spreads down the upper body and then extends to the arms, hands, legs and feet. The spots of the measles rash are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They're not usually itchy. The rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on brown and black skin. After about 5 days the rash starts to fade.

The rash usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms.

Measles is an unpleasant illness and easily passed from one person to another. In some people it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, and sepsis.

Measles is a notifiable disease which means health professionals must inform local health protection teams of all suspected cases.

The measles virus lives in the nose and throat of infected people. Measles is caught through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when he or she coughs or sneezes. A person with measles can infect other people from the day before they become unwell until 4 days after the rash appears.

The measles virus is 5 times more infectious than COVID-19.

The incubation period for measles averages 10 to 12 days from exposure to getting the early symptoms, and 14 days (range 7 to 21) from exposure to rash onset.

You can protect yourself or your child against measles by having two doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine. Both vaccines are safe and effective. Two doses give 99% lifelong protection against measles. MMR protects against measles, mumps and rubella. MMRV also protects against chickenpox (varicella).

Young children are now offered the first dose of MMRV when they are 12 months old and a second dose at 18 months.

It's not too late to catch up if you or your child have not received the MMR vaccine. Older children and adults will be offered the MMR vaccine.

If you are unsure whether you or your child has been vaccinated, please call your GP practice or check your child's red book.

Measles can be serious in all age groups. However, there are several groups that are more likely to suffer from measles complications:

• Children younger than 5 years of age
• Adults older than 20 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People with weakened immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection

1 in 5 measles cases may require a hospital visit, and 1 in 15 measles cases could cause complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis ( swelling of the brain), sepsis, sight loss and hearing loss. 

As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children. 

If you are planning to get pregnant and you have not had measles yet, you should arrange with your GP to have the MMR vaccine. If you catch measles during pregnancy, it can be passed on to your baby and can be very damaging, or even fatal. Measles in pregnancy can cause miscarriage, premature labour or a baby with low birth weight. The MMR or MMRV jab cannot be given during pregnancy.

• Stay away from school or nursery or work.

• Telephone your GP or call NHS 111. To prevent further spread of infection please do not visit the GP surgery or A&E in person unless advised to do so. 

• People who have symptoms should also especially try to stay away from vulnerable people such as babies, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. 

• People who have symptoms of measles will be asked to stay away from work, school or nursery for at least 4 days from when the rash first appears. 

For more information about when to stay off school and measles go to What to do if you think your child has measles and when to keep them off school - The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)

Most older children and adults are immune to measles – either because they had measles as a child or because they have been vaccinated – and so are very unlikely to catch measles. 

If you have weakened immunity (due to illness or medication) - you should contact your doctor straight away. The doctor will assess whether you are immune (that is, you have antibodies) to measles. If the exposure was within the past few days, your doctor may be able to organise treatment to prevent you becoming seriously ill.

Pregnant women - If you are pregnant and not sure of your immunity, please seek your doctor’s advice.

Children under one year - If you are a parents of an infant aged under one year who has been exposed to measles, you are advised to contact your doctor.

If you are well and not in the groups listed above, you don’t need to take urgent action. However, if you are unsure if you are protected from measles, check with your doctor.

If you become unwell and think it could be measles within 3 weeks of being exposed, you should see a doctor. You should ring the doctor or clinic before you attend so they can make sure you do not pass the disease to others in the waiting room.

People who have not been fully vaccinated with both doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine, and have been in close contact with a measles case, may be asked to stay away from work or school for up to 21 days to prevent the further spread of infection.

NHS website: Measles - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

 1)  What is the MMR / MMRV vaccine?

The MMR vaccine is a combined vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles). Add – the MMRV vaccine also protects against varicella (chickenpox).

2) Why is the MMR / MMRV vaccine important?

Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) are all serious, highly infectious diseases that can spread easily between unvaccinated people. They can cause serious complications such as meningitis, encephalitis (brain inflammation) and hearing loss. Varicella (chickenpox) can also be serious and can cause complications such as skin infections, pneumonia and encephalitis (brain inflammation).

3) How effective is the MMR / MMRV vaccine?

The MMR and MMRV vaccines are highly effective. After 2 doses around 99% of people will be protected against measles and rubella and 88% of people will be protected against mumps. People who are vaccinated against mumps, but still catch it, are less likely to have serious complications or be admitted to hospital.

After 2 doses of MMRV around 97% of people will be protected against varicella (chickenpox).

4) How long does the MMR/MMRV vaccine take to work?

Protection against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox) starts to develop around 2 weeks after the vaccine is given.

5) Is one dose of MMR / MMRV enough?

No. One dose of MMR or MMRV offers some protection, but 2 doses are needed to achieve full protection.

6) When do children usually have the MMR / MMRV vaccine?

In the UK children will be invited to have the first dose of MMRV vaccine at 1 year and then the second dose at 18 months.

The MMR vaccine is still available for adults and older children born on or before 31^st December 2019 who have not been vaccinated.

7) My children are older now – is it too late for them to have the MMR / MMRV vaccine? What about adults?

Children and adults who have missed MMR vaccines can catch up at any time. It is never too late. You can make an appointment at your GP practice.

It's important to check you've had both doses if you:

· are about to start college or university

· are going to travel abroad

· are planning a pregnancy

· are a frontline health or social care worker

· were born between 1970 and 1979, as you may have only been vaccinated against measles

· were born between 1980 and 1990, as you may not be protected against mumps

· were born outside of the UK and think you may not have received 2 MMR doses. Different countries offer different vaccines and not all offer the combined MMR.

Children born after 1^st January 2020 who have not had chicken pox or been vaccinated against chicken pox will be contacted by their GP from November 2026 and invited to have the MMRV vaccine.

8) What if I don’t know if I, or my children, have had an MMR / MMRV vaccine?

Children born in the UK are given a Red Book and all vaccinations given are recorded there. Check the Red Book first. If you are still not sure your GP practice will be able to check whether you or your child have had both doses of MMR or MMRV. You may also be able to access your vaccination record online through GP online services.

If your vaccination records are not available, or do not exist, it will not harm you or your child to have the MMR or MMRV vaccine again.

9) Is there anyone who should NOT have an MMR / MMRV vaccine?

The MMR and MMRV vaccine is not recommended for:

· People who are severely immunosuppressed, such as those receiving cancer treatment. If you have a health condition or are receiving treatment that affects your immune system, check with your GP or healthcare provider if it is safe for you to have a vaccine.

· Pregnant women, as a precaution.

10) What about Allergies?

Serious allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. Let your GP or healthcare provider know if you or your child have previously experienced a severe reaction to a vaccine or to vaccine ingredients such as the antibiotic neomycin or gelatine.

11) Do the MMR and MMRVs vaccine contain gelatine?

There are two MMR vaccines in use in the UK. One, called MMRVaxpro®, does contain porcine gelatine but the other, Priorix® does not.

There are two MMRV vaccines: ProQuad MMRV contains porcine gelatine, Priorix-Tetra does not.

Ask your GP or healthcare provider if you require a gelatine free vaccine.

12) Is the MMR / MMRV vaccine safe?

The MMR and MMRVs vaccines have excellent safety records. All vaccines undergo a rigorous testing process to ensure that they are safe and effective. MMRV has been used successfully in countries such as Canada, Australia and Germany for many years.

13) Does MMR / MMRV cause side effects?

Like all medicines, the MMR and MMRV vaccines can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.

Common side effects are usually mild and only last 2 to 3 days. They include:

• a raised, blotchy rash (similar to a measles rash), feeling unwell and a high temperature – this may happen about 6 to 10 days after the vaccination and is not infectious
• swelling around the face and aching in the joints (similar to mild forms of mumps or rubella) – this may happen about 2 to 3 weeks after the vaccination and is not infectious

With MMRV

• a spotty rash in the area where the injection was given (similar to a chickenpox rash) – this may happen about 3 to 4 weeks after the vaccination

The spotty rash may contain infectious chickenpox virus and should be covered with clothes. As long as the spots are covered, children can go to nursery as normal.

14) The MMR and MMRV vaccines are not linked to autism

There is no evidence of any link between MMR or MMRV and autism. There are many research studies that have investigated this. Unfortunately, widespread misinformation still remains.

15) Where can I get the MMR / MMRV vaccine?

Contact your GP practice for an appointment.

There may also be local vaccination sessions in your community - check the Family Information Services websites listed below and Vaccination UK for school aged children.
CATCH UP Kensington & Chelsea | Vukschools.

CATCH UP Kensington & Chelsea | Vukschools

Vaccinations are the most effective way to protect your child from many serious and potentially fatal diseases. 

In the UK vaccinations are free on the NHS and are usually given at your GP practice.

For more information on vaccinations and immunisations please visit out vaccinations and immunisations page. 

For a full list of the recommended NHS vaccinations and when to have them please have a look at the complete routine immunisation schedule (Gov.uk).