FAMILIES are being encouraged to use the half term school break to check their children’s measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations are up to date.
The call comes as the latest measles data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that from January 1 to February 9, there have been 96 cases of measles in England, with 79 cases in the four weeks since January 12.
And just over a quarter of cases, 25, have been confirmed in the West Midlands – compared to 76 cases in the region for the whole of 2025.
UKHSA and NHS England are reminding families that measles is a highly infectious illness that can spread quickly if people have not had two doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine, with increased risk if families are going on holiday to countries with high rates of measles.
The first signs of measles include a high temperature, red, sore and watery eyes and a rash which usually appears a few days after cold-like symptoms (sometimes starts around the ears before spreading to rest of the body).
Measles can lead to complications such as ear and chest infections, fits, diarrhoea and dehydration in younger children.
On rare occasions it can lead to serious problems including meningitis, blindness and hearing loss. In a small number of cases measles can even be fatal.
Dr Ash Banerjee, public health consultant at NHS England in the Midlands said: “Half term offers a natural pause for families, which is a good opportunity to check whether vaccinations are up to date.
“It’s never too late to get up to date on your MMR/MMRV or any other childhood vaccines, for the best protection. I ask parents to use this half term to check and book a catch-up if needed. The vaccines are safe and effective, are quick and help protect your child, their classmates and the wider community.”
To find out if your child will be offered the MMR or MMRV vaccine, visit the NHS website or speak to your GP surgery.
For people who do not touch any pork products, there is a version of the MMR vaccine, Priorix, and MMRV vaccine, Priorix-Tetra, which has no pork ingredients.
This can be requested from your GP.
Anyone who suspects measles should contact NHS 111 or your GP surgery.
If you do need to visit a GP or hospital, you must call ahead to let them know that it could be measles. The staff will make special arrangements to see you and/or your child so that, if they have measles, they won’t pass it to other people.
If you or your child has measles, you should stay off nursery/ school/ university/ work/ other group activities until at least four days after the rash appears, because you will still be infectious, which means you can spread measles to others.
