Bedford Borough residents encouraged to check if their family is protected against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR vaccine)

Throughout March, Bedford Borough Council and partners are reminding families in Bedford Borough of the signs and symptoms of measles and for adults and children who have not been fully vaccinated, to take up the offer of the MMR vaccination.

Over the past few years, measles has been on the rise and it can be highly contagious to children. To be fully protected, you need two doses of the vaccine and recently missed appointments have increased due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Measles can spread rapidly if people have not been fully immunised. While most people who catch measles will recover completely within a few weeks, it is important to remember measles can be a very serious illness. Please don't delay, get in touch with your GP to find out if your family are fully protected and book an appointment.

Measles symptoms to be aware of include:

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

Find out more about the MMR vaccine: http://www.nhs.uk/MMR