Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/4212760.Vaccination_plea_to_tackle_mumps/
Vaccination plea to tackle mumps
8:20am Wednesday 25th March 2009
By James Wilson ?
MID Cheshire has seen a rise in the number of cases of childhood related illness, mumps.
Mumps is increasing across the north west with 287 cases confirmed in 2008, compared to 159 in 2007.
Most worryingly 124 of these cases were in Cheshire and Merseyside, compared to 102 in the previous year.
This trend is continuing into 2009 as so far there have been 156 reports of suspected mumps cases in the area compared to 132 reports for the same period in 2008.
The Health Protection Agency said it is concerned many older children and teenagers in Cheshire and Merseyside missed out on the MMR vaccine as toddlers and remain vulnerable to infection.
Mumps is a serious, often very painful, illness that can lead to complications including viral meningitis, long term hearing problems and painful swelling of the testicles in males and the ovaries in females.
There is no treatment for mumps, other than the alleviation of pain and fever.
Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, the HPA?s immunisation lead for Cheshire and Merseyside, said: ?Every child should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, one at 13 to 15 months and the second before starting school.
?Parents are increasingly recognising the importance of having their children vaccinated at the recommended age and uptake rates are increasing but we have a large pool of older children and teenagers who are not protected.
?Our message to these older unprotected children is that it is not too late.
Anyone up to the age of 18 is entitled to vaccination on the NHS.
?Parents of children who are not protected can arrange vaccination through their family doctor.?
Have your children been affected by the illness? Let us know at our forums at northwichguardian.co.uk/forum
Vaccination plea to tackle mumps
8:20am Wednesday 25th March 2009
By James Wilson ?
MID Cheshire has seen a rise in the number of cases of childhood related illness, mumps.
Mumps is increasing across the north west with 287 cases confirmed in 2008, compared to 159 in 2007.
Most worryingly 124 of these cases were in Cheshire and Merseyside, compared to 102 in the previous year.
This trend is continuing into 2009 as so far there have been 156 reports of suspected mumps cases in the area compared to 132 reports for the same period in 2008.
The Health Protection Agency said it is concerned many older children and teenagers in Cheshire and Merseyside missed out on the MMR vaccine as toddlers and remain vulnerable to infection.
Mumps is a serious, often very painful, illness that can lead to complications including viral meningitis, long term hearing problems and painful swelling of the testicles in males and the ovaries in females.
There is no treatment for mumps, other than the alleviation of pain and fever.
Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, the HPA?s immunisation lead for Cheshire and Merseyside, said: ?Every child should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, one at 13 to 15 months and the second before starting school.
?Parents are increasingly recognising the importance of having their children vaccinated at the recommended age and uptake rates are increasing but we have a large pool of older children and teenagers who are not protected.
?Our message to these older unprotected children is that it is not too late.
Anyone up to the age of 18 is entitled to vaccination on the NHS.
?Parents of children who are not protected can arrange vaccination through their family doctor.?
Have your children been affected by the illness? Let us know at our forums at northwichguardian.co.uk/forum