We continue to see measles cases locally including cases in babies and very young children. Some children have been very poorly and needed care in hospital. It is therefore really important that we continue to promote vaccination.

Measles is very infectious and can cause severe illness, especially in certain at-risk groups including babies and small children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity. Complications could mean hospitalisation, permanent disability, and in rare cases, it can even cause death.

There is no cure for measles. The best protection is through two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination. We would like to ask you to promote MMR vaccination in any conversations you have with staff, children, and families and check that your staff are vaccinated. Unvaccinated staff can request MMR from their GP.

Babies under one are too young to routinely receive the vaccine, so the best way to protect them is to make sure that those around them, including parents, siblings and staff caring for them at nursery or early years settings, are vaccinated. For babies and toddlers over one, vaccinations should be done as soon as possible. Parents and carers will be called for this by their GP.

Measles symptoms include: a high temperature, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a cough, or red, sore, or red watery eyes followed a few days later by a rash around the head and neck area that later spreads to the rest of the body.

If you have concerns that someone may have measles, please ask them to stay away from settings where it could spread to others and to CALL their GP for advice.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Dr Justin Varney

Director of Public Health

Birmingham City Council