Don’t delay in getting children protected against measles

I couldn’t agree more with this Western Mail article and the need to make sure children have been vaccinated against measles before the start of the new school year in Wales, in a few weeks time.

It’s only two counties in Wales which aren’t affected by measles, and with around 45,000 youngsters currently unprotected, this outbreak is only likely to get worse when schools go back after the summer holidays.

I have blogged on here before about the need for children to be vaccinated, particularly those who’re school-age and how damaging the unfounded allegations about the MMR jab from several years ago were, with the effects still it seems being felt today. So I think the need for a concerted drive to increase public awareness about the common misconceptions associated with the MMR jab has never been greater, as September approaches.

Put children first in the fight to reduce health inequalities

Another motion up for debate yesterday at the ARM focused on safeguarding children and their futures.

Delegates are calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to put youngsters at the heart of every one of its department’s priorities, for the next two decades, to give ALL children the best start in life.

One way of dong this could be to increase the number of school nurses in Wales and for these nurses to also take responsibility for public health in schools.

With the measles outbreak which is sweeping through Wales at the moment, there has never been a better time for the WAG to honour its promise, laid down in the One Wales manifesto, to provide a minimum of one family nurse per secondary school by the end of the Assembly term.

I think School Public Health Nurses could have played an integral part in helping to prevent the current measles epidemic from spreading as much as it has by providing advice and guidance to parents.

We need to ensure ALL children are given the best possible start in life and where they go to school can have a big impact on this. That’s why, in the most deprived areas of Wales, we need to transform schools in to safe havens for those youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Very pleasant walk around the Albert dock by the way, shame I didn’t have my camera with me to take a few scenic shots to share with you all on here!

Compulsory vaccines aren't the answer to preventing another measles outbreak in Wales

I'm glad to see the issue of the measles outbreak currently affecting Wales being discussed on other blogs, as the more we can do to raise awareness about it, the better.

This massive increase in the number of cases of measles in children in Wales is a huge concern for doctors and parents alike. Measles can be deadly, so it is vital youngsters are vaccinated against the disease.

The way in which some of the media dealt with the unfounded assertions about the MMR jab several years ago was extremely unhelpful and the ramifications from it are still being dealt with today, as demonstrated with this current measles outbreak.

Now is the time for a concerted public awareness campaign led by the Welsh Assembly Government, that dispels any myths and misunderstandings about the MMR jab, so immunity levels can be raised to the levels needed to protect our children from this sometimes life threatening infection.

Some people want to see compulsory vaccines brought in as a way to reverse the very low rates of immunisation. The BMA does not regard that to be appropriate. Parents must be able to have a choice. So long as parents have access to the necessary information and facts, they will continue to make the right choices for their families, as they always have done. Doctors working in partnership with their patients, is the best way to access the appropriate healthcare and this is no less important in the field of immunisation.