Rise in Measles cases in Harrow & Brent

NHS NW London Vaccination Team
15 Marylebone Road
London NW1 5JD

Email: nhsnwl.immunisations@nhs.net

Rise in measles cases in Harrow/Brent

Dear Parents and Guardians,

In the last few weeks there’s been an increase in the number of measles cases in Harrow/Brent. Measles spreads easily and can cause serious illnesses, including pneumonia and meningitis.

Your child can be protected from this serious infection by receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first dose is given at the age of 12 months and the second dose is given at around 3 years and 4 months, before starting school. Having both doses gives long lasting protection against measles, mumps and rubella. The MMR vaccine It has been protecting children against measles for many years and millions of doses have been administered in the UK.

You can find more information about the MMR vaccine on the NHS website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine or if you have any questions or worries about vaccinations, here’s a video link Why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself - NHS (www.nhs.uk) that helps explain them.

If you or your child missed these vaccines, it’s not too late. Ask for a free vaccine from your family doctor (GP) if you or your children aren’t up to date. If you are unsure whether your child is up to date with all their routine immunisations, please check their ‘red book’ (personal child health record) or contact your GP practice. Your GP or practice nurse will be able to review your child’s immunisation status and answer questions about immunisation.

This graphic shows the vaccinations your child should be having by age:

To find out more about childhood vaccinations, please visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/

Symptoms of measles

If your child has symptoms of measles, stay at home and phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice. Stay away from GP surgeries and A&E departments – you could spread the illness to others.

Symptoms include:

• high fever;
• sore, red, watery eyes;
• coughing;
• aching and feeling generally unwell;
• and a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the first symptoms.

Please note that most of the time children can attend school with minor childhood illnesses, and should be encouraged to do so. It is usually appropriate for parents / carers to send their children to school with mild respiratory illnesses. This would include general cold symptoms: a minor cough, runny nose or sore throat.

However, children should not be sent to school if they have a temperature of 38C or above.

If you are unsure, please seek advice by calling NHS 111 or your GP.

Contact with a measles case

The UK Health Security Agency will be notified of all cases of measles and advise on the public health management including contact tracing.

Please note that if your child has not had the MMR vaccine and someone else in the same house gets measles, they will not be able to go to school for 21 days after contact with the infected person (the time infection can take to develop).

For more information on measles, please go to the NHS website - Measles - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

If you have any further queries, please contact Marie McLoughlin on marie.mcloughlin@brent.gov.uk or there is more details on the Bent website at Measles | Brent Council.

Child Nasal Flu Vaccination programme 2023

Dear parents,

please follow the steps here to register your child for the nasal flu vaccination programme which takes place on 12th October at Christ Church School.

STEP 1:

Please either register for an account if this is your first time using the Thomson parent portal or login if you have already created an account. If this is your first time registering you will receive an email to confirm your account and set a password.

STEP 2:

Once you login you can read the information on the Childhood Flu vaccination programme and indicate your consent.

Please click on the below link to access the eConsent https://app.schoolscreener.com/Portal/#/CNWLLon/pr/CNWLi2324flu/101533

NOTE: To access the Thomson parent portal on your iPhone, please make sure you download the letter first onto your device, then follow the URL link provided.

If accessing via laptop or desktop, please don’t use Internet Explorer, instead use other internet browser such as Chrome.

If you encounter any problems with the Parent Portal, contact Thomson help desk on the following number: 02039584181 or email parentsupport@schoolscreener.com

Important:

1. It is vital that the consent form is completed as soon as possible. Do ensure that you have your child’s NHS number when completing the online form.
2. The consent form allows you to refuse this vaccine for your child. If you are thinking about this step, please talk to you GP or ask to speak to your child’s school nurse first. It is very important that you take this opportunity to protect your child against this very serious disease.

For more information about the eConsent Parent Portal, watch this 2-minute video: https://youtu.be/OUT-pAYOwF0

You should inform the nurses on the day of the vaccine if your child has been wheezy or there is any change in their asthma medication.

Contact the Immunisation team if you require any further assistance.

A record of your child’s vaccination will be automatically emailed to the address on the consent form after 5pm on the day of the session. Please also check spam/junk folders as the email may be filtered to there

Routine Immunisations

NHS North West London
15 Marylebone Road
London
NW1 5JD
4th July 2023

Dear Parents,

We all want to keep our children safe and protected from serious illness. This is why we are asking you to support a focus on encouraging parents in North West London to ensure that their child is up to date on their routine immunisation course. The summer holidays are a good opportunity to catch up on any outstanding vaccinations before children return to school and start mixing again.

Vaccination rates have been falling in London, which was further exacerbated during the pandemic. We need to maintain a high level of vaccine uptake across the population to reduce the risk of outbreaks and the potentially serious impacts on children’s health.

Since February we have seen an increase in the number of cases of measles across North West London which may develop into life-threatening illnesses such as meningitis and pneumonia.

Booking a vaccine over the summer

Any children in London who are not up to date with their routine vaccinations can book one over the summer holidays.

Where do I get my child’s vaccine?

Your child can get their routine vaccinations at their GP surgery.

The NHS has also been contacting the parents of children who are not fully vaccinated to book an appointment at their GP practice or to access them at specialist community clinics in your local area. These will continue over the summer.

• For more information on childhood diseases e.g. measles: Health A to Z - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• NHS vaccination schedule: NHS vaccinations and when to have them - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Why vaccines are safe and effective: Why vaccination is safe and important - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

If you have any queries or require further information please contact nhsnwl.immunisations@nhs.net

Thank you for your support.

Yours faithfully,

NHS North West London Immunisations Team

Contact for Immunisation programme:

CNWL - 01895 485 740

email: cnw-tr.ImmunisationTeam@nhs.net