Measles, Mumps and Rubella

There has been a rise in measles cases in London this year, with 33 confirmed cases reported between 1 January and 20 April 2023 alone.

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles), which spread easily and can cause serious illnesses including pneumonia, meningitis and hearing loss. Measles, mumps and rubella can quickly spread if fewer than 90% of people are vaccinated.

London has lower rates of childhood vaccination than other regions in England and this was made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, when many children missed their vaccinations.

The best way to protect your child is to make sure they are fully up to date with vaccinations. These vaccines will increase your child’s protection and have been safely given to millions of children.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

The first dose of the MMR vaccine is given at 1 year old. The second dose is given at 3 years and 4 months.

How to get a MMR vaccination for your child

Children aged 1 year to 4 years old:

Contact your local GP to book an appointment for your child to have their vaccination. If you’re not registered with a GP, you can register online.

Children aged 4 years to 11 years old:

If your child has missed a vaccine, they may be offered a catch-up dose through their primary school in 2023.

The NHS will contact you to give you further detail of your local offer, answer any questions and arrange an appointment. You’ll then be sent a consent form to sign. Please note that your child will not be vaccinated without your consent.

If you believe your child is missing a vaccination and you don’t want to wait, you can also contact a local GP to book an appointment.