Jabs are a shot in the arm in measles fight

Vaccines prevent disease and protect life is the theme of the Health Protection Agency’s European Immunisation Week, which starts tomorrow.

And the body is asking Oldham residents to help them in their fight to eliminate measles and rubella by 2015.

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, HPA North-West’s immunisation lead, said: “Immunisation is the single most effective health protection tool available to us.

“It has been demonstrated time and time again over the years that vaccines really do work. They prevent disease and save lives.”

Dr Ghebrehewet said it was thanks to immunisation that smallpox was eradicated across the world by the mid-1970s and Europe was declared free from polio in 2002.

Across the NHS Oldham area, the take-up of the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for children up to two was 94.9 per cent in 2009-10, the second highest rate in the country.

He added: “There is no doubt the target of eliminating measles and rubella from Europe by 2015 can be met if we can persuade parents to ensure that all children and young people are protected by two doses of the MMR vaccine.

“It is an achievable target. Vaccination rates are increasing and we have every reason to be hopeful.

“If we can eliminate measles and rubella along the way it will be a wonderful by-product of our campaign.”