Measles is a highly infectious condition that spreads very easily between unvaccinated people and can cause serious problems. Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it.

Symptoms include cold-like symptoms, spots in the mouth and a distinctive rash. For more information about measles symptoms and what to look out for, visit the NHS website.

What to do if you suspect you or your child has measles

If you suspect you or your child has measles, mumps or rubella, please do not attend any healthcare setting, including your GP surgery or a hospital. Children should not go to school. It is highly contagious, and you risk passing it onto others.

Please call NHS 111 or your GP surgery to be provided with further health advice.

Good hygiene is important like regularly washing your hands, using tissues to catch coughs and sneezes and throwing used tissues in the bin.

Visit the NHS website for official information and advice.

MMR vaccine

Two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine provide the best protection against infection. This is offered free on the NHS.

What to do if you’re unsure if your child has received the MMR vaccine

You can find a child’s vaccination record if they have a Red Book with their medical information.

You can contact the Community and School Age Immunisation Service, details below:

Norfolk: 0300 555 5055 (choose option 2) or email: hct.csaisnorfolk@nhs.net

Suffolk: 0300 555 5055 (choose option 3) or email: hct.csaissuffolk@nhs.net

You can contact the GP practice your child is registered at.

Your GP practice should be able to offer you a vaccine if you are unvaccinated. A member of the GP practice team may direct you to book your child’s vaccine through a local NHS clinic.

What to do if you’re unsure if you have received the MMR vaccine

Adults will need to check their vaccination record with their GP practice team. Your practice should be able to offer you a vaccine if you are unvaccinated. 

Children and young people MMR vaccination clinics

If you have received a letter from the NHS saying your child requires their MMR vaccination, please book an appointment with your GP surgery team or book onto one of the NHS clinics listed below. 

These additional vaccination clinics below are open to children and young people aged 4-19 years. Those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can attend a vaccination clinic if they are 25 years and under. Please check the last column of the table below to make sure the clinic is appropriate for your child or young person.

We’d recommend booking your child’s MMR vaccination wherever possible to help us to manage demand, you can either email or call over the phone to book.

Booking

Email hct.csaisnorfolk@nhs.net with the following details:

• Name of your child
• Their date of birth
• Their home address
• Your telephone number
• The venue and date you wish to attend

The team will then respond with the times available.

Alternatively, you can call 0300 5555055 and choose option 2 to speak to a member of the team. Please leave a message (including the details above) if the team are busy. This phoneline is open 8am-4pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

Communication resources

The ICB has produced a MMR vaccine poster and MMR vaccine social media graphic.

Just One Norfolk have a dedicated webpage about measles.

UKHSA has produced a measles communications toolkit. This includes social media materials (animations, videos, static images and GIFs) to raise awareness amongst the public, alongside resources for health professionals, for use on stakeholders’ channels. For further information contact: externalaffairs@ukhsa.gov.uk

A video of Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, Dr Colin Campbell, explains who can have the MMR vaccine and why the World Health Organization (WHO) has set an MMR vaccination target of 95% of the population.

The Department for Education has published a new blog aimed at parents and carers: ‘What to do if you think your child has measles and when to keep them off school’