Dear Early Years Providers,

Cases of measles are growing nationally. Whilst there are currently no reported cases of measles in Bristol (as of 21/02/24), measles can spread very quickly among those who are unvaccinated. Bristol City Council have agreed with UKHSA to develop a proactive local action plan, to try and get ahead of a possible measles outbreak by organising the delivery of MMR vaccinations.

We held a briefing amongst Early Years leaders on 09/02/2024 to explain more about the vaccination approach and key information you need to know about the disease.

Please find a link to download the recording of the Early Years Public Health Briefing from 09/02/2024: https://we.tl/t-VEmP4osbAF. Please note this link is available for download until Wednesday 28 February. If anyone needs it after this, please do get in touch.

Please find attached to this email:

• the slides from the briefing
• a letter for you to send to parents/carers with important information about measles

Other important information

Measles is highly infectious and can cause serious long-term complications such as pneumonia, swelling of the brain, permanent hearing loss, harm to unborn babies, and on rare occasions, death. Vaccines are our best line of defence against diseases like measles and help stop outbreaks occurring in the community. The MMR vaccine is free, safe, and effective on the NHS, whatever your age. Two doses provide you with 99% protection against catching measles – one dose does not provide you with sufficient protection.

Unvaccinated people who come into contact with a person with measles may have to stay at home and be excluded from nursery, school, or work for up to 21 days. Please ask all staff and parents to check if they are up to date with their two MMR doses. To do this, check in your personal child health record (PCHR), known as the red book, ask at home, or contact your GP practice.

A version of the MMR vaccine with no pork content is available. The evidence is clear; there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

The risk to pregnant staff

If you get measles when you’re pregnant, it could harm your baby. It can cause miscarriage or stillbirth, premature birth (before the 37th week of pregnancy), or your baby having a low birthweight. Please encourage all pregnant staff to check their vaccination status with their GP or midwife. This will enable quick access to treatment that may help protect them and their unborn child if they become a close contact of a measles case. You cannot have the MMR vaccination when you are pregnant.

Communication resources

Please below find links to leaflets, posters, and a video which you can share on:

• NHS ‘don’t let your child catch measles’ leaflet (please find translated versions here)
• A short video to help people understand more about the MMR vaccination – Let’s talk about MMR

MMR vaccination information leaflets in English, Somali, Bengali, Romanian, Polish, Yoruba, and Ukrainian

Best Wishes

Dawn

Dawn Butler

Early Years Manager: Inclusion