Alder Hey hospital warning after measles spike

A Merseyside children's hospital has warned parents and carers about an increase in measles cases which has left several children "seriously unwell".

Alder Hey Children's Hospital has reported the virus is on the rise in young people in the region and blamed the spike on a fall in uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Medical director Alfie Bass and chief nurse Nathan Askew said the symptoms can be severe and "are leading to increasing numbers of children being admitted to our hospital".

They said in a letter posted on social media that the "vaccine has been available for many years and is proven to be safe" and urged parents to get their children vaccinated.

Vaccine uptake in the UK has fallen over the last decade, leading to outbreaks of measles and whooping cough.

A recent report found parent obstacles such as difficulty booking appointments and a lack of reminders on what jabs are needed and when had prevented some from vaccinating their children.

The letter, which was co-signed by the public health directors of three Merseyside councils, said: "In rare cases, catching the disease can be fatal.

"Measles is particularly dangerous for some of our most vulnerable children and young people, including those under one year of age and those already battling other serious illnesses like cancer."

The letter urged parents and carers to get their children vaccinated, which is typically done when the child is aged 12 months, and then again at around three years and four months.

The hospital said two doses of the MMR vaccine was enough for "lifelong protection against measles, mumps and rubella".

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.

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