Immunisation
Protecting the very young and older people in Southwark
Measles, mumps and rubella
Until a few years ago, measles was a largely thing of the past, thanks to the MMR vaccination (which also protects against mumps and rubella). But recently it has made a come-back, including a number of rather worrying outbreaks here in Southwark. At its best, measles is miserable enough — runny nose, tonsillitis, inflamed eyes, dry cough and, after a few days, the fever and rash. But at its worst it can lead to meningitis, brain inflammation, severe pneumonia and death. Why is measles threatening again? The answer is quite simply because too many children are missing out on their MMR vaccinations.
Particularly at risk are older children who were babies and toddlers at the time of the now notorious MMR vaccination scare in the late 1990s and who missed out on this important form of protection.
Today, many very reliable scientific studies from around the world have clearly demonstrated that the original fears about MMR were incorrect and that it’s actually a safe and effective vaccination. MMR is easily the best way of protecting against measles, mumps and rubella. Children over the age of 12 months are eligible — preferably in two doses three months apart.
“Both Miles and Amelia had the MMR jab as soon as they were able to. We wanted to make sure they were protected. It was really easy to get done and we know now that they’ll stay happy and healthy.”
Mrs Joanne Leakey, Peckham
Contact your GP or practice nurse to find our more or arrange an appointment or ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Flu
Although for most healthy people flu is just another unpleasant but fairly brief illness, for others it can all too often cause serious complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia which may prove fatal.
Older people are more at risk of the worst effects of flu. But so too are younger people with conditions like diabetes, asthma or other chronic chest trouble, heart disease or kidney problems.
So it is really important for anyone in these categories to do what they can to avoid getting flu. The simplest and most foolproof way of doing that is to have the flu vaccination. It's free, it’s safe, and it's really effective against the latest strains of the virus.
If you're 65 or over, or you live in an old people's home or nursing home, make sure you ask your GP, practice nurse or receptionist about having the jab. And it’s also available to people under 65 who have a chronic heart or chest complaint (including asthma), chronic kidney disease, diabetes or lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer therapy.
Remember, even if you had the jab last year, you’ll still need this year’s version because the virus changes slightly each winter, and the vaccine needs to change too to match it.
“I get my flu jab every year and it keeps colds away. It’s no trouble to get it done and it saves me getting ill when the weather gets bad in winter. Some people say it’s bad for you but you won’t know if you don’t try.”
Mrs Adlin Taylor, Dulwich
Contact your GP or practice nurse to find our more or arrange an appointment or ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647.