Measles jab drive a success as town sees no cases

A public health campaign aimed at preventing a measles outbreak in a seaside resort has proved to be successful, a report has concluded.

Across England this year, there have been 2,707 confirmed cases of the highly contagious disease - more than double the number seen in the years before the Covid pandemic.

In response, additional vaccination centres were opened in Blackpool in an attempt to avoid an outbreak in the Lancashire town.

To date, there have been no cases in Blackpool this year.

In late 2023, there was a large increase in cases in England - driven by a large outbreak in Birmingham and rises in London and other regions.

Since then, Blackpool Council's public health team has worked closely with GP practices, NHS England and Fylde Coast Medical Services to lay on extra clinics.

The vaccination drive in Blackpool has been targeted towards those at highest risk from the highly contagious disease.

A report to the town council's health and wellbeing board said 229 residents had received their jabs at special walk-in clinics between February and July.

"To date, zero cases have been notified for Blackpool," the report noted.

While patients usually recover within seven to 10 days from measles, in more serious cases it can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures.

In very rare instances, it can be fatal.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to [email protected] and via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.