Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines will be made available for children at a Morecambe community pharmacies as part of a regional initiative.
As the number of measles cases continues to rise in the North West – with confirmed cases now in Lancashire - health chiefs in Lancashire and South Cumbria are stepping up efforts to get more unvaccinated people protected and help stop the spread of the disease.
MMR vaccines will be available to unvaccinated children aged five to 11 as walk-in appointments at 13 pharmacies, including West End Pharmacy on Heysham Road.
Dr Lindsey Dickinson, associate medical director for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, which plans and organises health services across the region, said: “If your child has missed any of their MMR vaccines, you can now visit one of the participating pharmacies for a catch-up jab, or alternatively you can contact their GP surgery for a referral to the pharmacy.
“While the main measles outbreaks so far have been in London, the West Midlands and Manchester, there are now cases in Lancashire as the disease continues to spread. There is currently no medical treatment for measles and it can cause serious harm to adults and children of all ages - that is why getting vaccinated is so important.
“Two doses of the MMR vaccine can give someone effective lifelong protection against becoming seriously unwell with the disease.”
The initiative is initially being piloted in a limited number of pharmacies across the region that were approved to give COVID-19 vaccines to 5-11-year-olds during the pandemic, and is part of a widening role for pharmacies that includes seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccination and the new pharmacy first service.
MMR vaccine coverage has been falling for the last decade with one in 10 children starting school in England not protected – in some parts of the North West, this figure is as high as three in 10 children.
The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria is urging to make sure their vaccinations are up to date and to be alert for measles after we are now starting to see clusters of confirmed measles cases in the North West region. There is a real risk that this outbreak could spread more widely.
If you are unsure whether your child has been vaccinated, your GP surgery should be able to check whether they have had one or both doses of the MMR vaccine.
Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health at Lancashire County Council, said: "Uptake of the routine childhood vaccinations is the lowest it's been in England in a decade, and this is giving serious diseases such as measles a chance to get a foothold in our communities.
"One in five children will need a hospital visit if they become unwell with measles and around one in 15 cases can lead to complications such as meningitis, sepsis and blindness.
"Quite simply, the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine provides the best protection against becoming seriously unwell from measles.
"We know families lead busy lives so we're trying to make it easier for parents to protect themselves and their loved ones from this disease.
"If any of your children have missed any of their MMR vaccines, contact your GP surgery or visit one of the 13 community pharmacies across the region that are now delivering vaccinations."
If you or your child do develop any symptoms of measles, contact your 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.
Man accused of stealing joints of meat at Lancaster Asda by hiding them in his trousers
LISTEN and PHOTOS: Spectacular display of 12,000 poppies unveiled at Lancaster landmark
Eden Project Morecambe boss gives update on early stages of work on new £100m attraction
Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth Remembrance services announced
Road closures for pre-Tour de France work announced for Lancaster district
Lancaster rock guitarist braves beard shave for charity
Two arrests made after post office robbery in Lancaster
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to perform concert for schools at Morecambe Winter Gardens
PHOTOS: Plans go in for major Lancaster regeneration scheme
Lancaster music venue's heartfelt message ahead of final night on New Year's Eve
Morecambe school named among one of England's most improved for attendance
Lancaster hospital nursing boss appointed to University of Cumbria honorary role
Morecambe Football Club placed under another embargo by the National League
£1.5m Lancaster scheme to boost water quality in River Lune is complete
Family pays tribute to Lancaster pensioner who died in road crash
Popular artist's print of Morecambe Bay Academy to be launched at alumni evening
Work set to begin on new Heysham skate park
Light Up Lancaster promises to illuminate city with ‘No Boundaries’
Sadness as Morecambe sports and social club suffers break-in on night of reopening
Man arrested after death of pensioner in Lancaster road crash
