Coming in the New Year: Pop-up vaccination clinics for MMR or HPV catch-up jabs.

Pop-up clinics will be running across Worcestershire to offer free catch-up MMR and HPV vaccinations for anyone who did not receive them as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme.

Measles is highly contagious and can be serious at any age.  It spreads easily through coughing and sneezing, and anyone who isn’t vaccinated or who hasn't previously had the illness is at risk.

The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against measles. Mumps and rubella are available to anyone over 5 years who has not yet been fully vaccinated. Two doses of MMR vaccination are needed to be fully vaccinated.

Worcestershire ranks among the top areas in the West Midlands for MMR vaccination, with over 90 per cent of children receiving both doses by the age of five. However, increasing the vaccination rate even further will help prevent the spread of measles in the community.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a very common group of viruses that spreads through skin contact. Certain types cause several cancers, including cervical, throat, anal, and genital cancers, as well as genital warts. The HPV vaccine protects against the most harmful, cancer-causing type of HPV and provides long-lasting immunity when given at a young age.

More than 73 per cent of eligible young people in Worcestershire have received their HPV vaccine, but some may have missed out due to illness, being home educated, or other reasons. The catch-up HPV vaccine is available for free on the NHS for:

•    all girls aged 24 and under up until their 25th birthday
•    boys born after 1 September 2006 up until their 25th birthday

The pop-up clinics will be held at community venues across Worcestershire throughout January and February. A full list of dates and locations is available online www.schoolvaccination.uk/catch-up-clinics/catch-up-worcestershire

Lisa McNally, Director of Public Health, said: “Vaccinations are one of the most effective ways to protect teenagers and young adults as they take their first big steps into adult life and begin spending more time in wider social settings, whether that’s starting college, beginning a new job, travelling, or enjoying festivals.

“If you or your child missed the routine vaccinations, perhaps due to illness or because of being home educated, please make the most of the upcoming catch-up clinics over the next couple of weeks.”

Dr George Henry, GP and Clinical Lead for NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire, added: “Prevention through vaccination is the only way to reduce the risk of harm to you or your family. If you are a young person or a parent and your child has missed out on getting these important immunisations, it’s easy to book into a catch-up clinic and get vaccinated.”

If anyone has symptoms of measles, please stay at home and phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice. Do not go to GP surgeries or A & E departments, so the illness doesn’t spread to others.

For more information on measles and the MMR vaccine, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/measles and for HPV, visit https://www.nhs.uk/HPV.