An additional 600-plus children across North Merseyside are now protected against measles, following a campaign to improve the uptake of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) immunisations. 

Opportunities

Parents and carers in Sefton have taken up opportunities from the Living Well Bus and six special Summer Immunisation clinics to catch up with MMR immunisations for their children.

Now, as children return to school following the summer break, Sefton Council’s Public Health team has written to parents and carers again, urging them to check that their children are up to date with the MMR. This follows a number of measles cases across Merseyside over the summer, and a measles related death of a child at Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool.

Measles is highly infectious and makes most people who catch it very unwell. For some it can mean hospital admission. Babies, young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity being at increased risk.

MMR immunisation provides the very best protection from measles for children and adults of any age.

Protected

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public health said: “I am pleased to see so many parents and carers taking advantage of these summer holiday clinics as an opportunity to make sure their children are protected from measles and other diseases.

“However, these clinics are not the only way to get immunised against measles. Children and adults of any age can contact their GP to have a free MMR vaccination, and the Living Well Bus will continue to visit Sefton over the coming weeks.”

Living Well Bus  

Confirmed dates for the Living Well Bus visits to Sefton are:

• Wednesday 3rd September - 10.30am - 4pm - outside Ainsdale Centre for Health & Wellbeing, 164 Sandbrook Road, Ainsdale PR8 3RJ
  
  
• Thursday 4th September - 10.30am - 4pm - Lidl, 290 Marsh Lane, Bootle L20 5BQ
  
  
• Tuesday 9th September - 10.30am - 4pm - Waitrose, Formby, Three Tuns Ln, Formby L37 4AJ

When they become known, future dates will be publicised at www.sefton.gov.uk/living-well-bus