09/07/2025
It's worrying to hear in the news of the recent spike in Measles.
Measles, if not vaccinated against, can lead to serious complications including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and even death. Infants, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to severe illness and complications.
Symptoms of measles usually start with a runny nose, sneezing, coughing and a high temperature, before the measles rash typically develops a few days later.
Speak to a GP about getting vaccinated if you did not have it as a child, you only had 1 dose or you're not sure if you've been fully vaccinated.
It's especially important to make sure you're vaccinated if:
- you're a child, teenager or young adult
- you could become pregnant
- you're travelling to, or living in, a country where there is a higher risk of getting measles, mumps or rubella
- you're a healthcare worker
- you were born between 1970 and 1990 (as you may not have been vaccinated against all 3 infections)
A rise in the number of children ill with the virus on Merseyside is reported by hospital bosses.
