Children and teenagers who have missed out on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines can get protected at a spring catch-up clinic.
Run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s (KCHFT) School-aged Immunisation Service, the offer comes after catch-up clinics were held over the recent half-term.
Now parents and carers of school-aged children, and teens up to 19, have another chance to ask for an appointment at one of more than 26 clinics being held in a range of locations across the county during March, April and May.
Children are routinely offered the first dose of MMR at one year and the second dose at three years and four months for life-long protection.
If you are unsure if your child is up to date with their MMR vaccines, you can check their Red Book health record; and if you are still not sure, you can contact your GP practice, who is also able to offer MMR catch-up appointments.
To arrange an appointment at any of the KCHFT catch-up clinics, Kent and Medway parents and carers should call the School-aged Immunisation Service on 0300 123 5205 or email via kchft.cyp-immunisationteam@nhs.net.
The catch-up offer is part of ongoing efforts by Kent and Medway health leaders to drive up MMR vaccination rates following a national rise in measles cases.
With outbreaks ongoing in London and the West Midlands, and cases now confirmed in every region of England, including the South East, there are concerns the highly-infectious disease will keep on spreading unless more people are vaccinated.
Measles causes fever and a rash and can lead to serious illness such as pneumonia meningitis, blindness and seizures. In rare cases it can be fatal. But it is 99 per cent preventable through two doses of the MMR vaccine.
NHS Kent and Medway Medical Director, Dr Kate Langford, said: "The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine, protecting you against measles, mumps and rubella.
“Getting vaccinated is important because all these conditions can also lead to serious problems such as meningitis, hearing loss and also complications during pregnancy.
“It’s also essential that children have both doses – without this, you won’t be benefiting from the protection MMR offers and it will put your children, friends and family at risk.”