Measles: Is the MMR vaccine safe? Dr Ranj reveals how to avoid ‘severe consequences’
MEASLES is a highly infectious viral illness which can result in serious complications, including fatality. The MMR vaccine can prevent measles, mumps ad rubella, but is it safe? Dr Ranj Singh issued his advice on This Morning.
This Morning: Dr Ranj explains importance of mumps jab
Measles can easily be passed from one person to another if breathed in.
Symptoms include a runny nose, a high temperature, and the most notorious sign of all, a rash.
While symptoms can be debilitating, the infection usually clears up in around seven to ten days.
But in severe cases, measles can lead to complications such as problems with the heart and nervous system.
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Measles can easily be passed form one person to another if breathed in
The MMR vaccine is given as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.
One dose is usually given to a child when they’re 12 to 13 months old, and a second does when the child is three years and four months.
But after a past study - now disregarded - linked the MMR vaccine to autism, many parents have decided against getting their children immunised.
So should your child get the MMR jab? TV doctor Dr Ranj issued his advice on This Morning.
He said: “Not getting the MMR vaccine can have severe consequences. Measles can lead to pneumonia, you can end up in hospital, and you can die from it.
“Mumps causes infertility and rubella can spell bad news for pregnant women.”
Dr Ranj, who is currently starring on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, explained there’s been a “drift down” in then number of people getting vaccinated.
Not everyone can get vaccinated for various medical reasons, and many don’t respond to the dose of the vaccine.
This lower level of people getting vaccinated causes the re-emergence of conditions.
Dr Ranj said: “For individuals out there who can’t be vaccinated, these conditions can be life-changing or even deadly.
“There needs to be a proportion, 95 per cent or above, that get vaccinated to make sure the condition stays under control.
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“If we maintain a certain level it’s the only way we can ensure protection for people.”
If you’re uncertain whether your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date, contact your GP.
The NHS advises: “You or your child can be vaccinated at any point if you haven’t been fully vaccinated before.
“If you’re not sure whether you were vaccinated in the past, having the vaccine again won’t cause any harm.”
Measles hit Europe hard in the first six months of the year with more than 41,000 children and adults being infected. How do you know if you’ve got the virus? There are four distinguishable symptoms of the rash to look out for.
