MMR catch-up campaign launched

The Department of Health has announced the launch of a national MMR catch-up programme with the goal of vaccinating every child up to the age of 18 against measles.

It will provide additional funds and extra vaccine supply to local health trusts to aid this campaign.

The government has sent a letter to all primary care trusts calling for assistance in reducing the risk of a measles epidemic by offering the MMR vaccine to all children who have not yet been vaccinated.

It also advised primary care trusts to urge parents to get their children immunised.

As well as extra vaccine supplies, each trust will receive an average of 30,000 pounds in additional funding, as well as information materials.

Professor David Salisbury, director of immunisation at the Department of Health, said: “Parents who have not had their children vaccinated with the MMR vaccine should do so now.

“The evidence on MMR is absolutely clear – there is no link between the vaccine and autism.”

He added at present the coverage of the MMR vaccine is not high enough to eliminate the threat of measles outbreaks, noting the condition is serious and can be fatal in some cases.

In April 2008, the Department of Health announced the continued success of its national immunisation programme.