Dear Colleague
Measles – MMR Catch up Campaign
As you cannot have missed, The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has announced a national MMR catch up campaign, centred around GPs and practices, for 10-16 year olds. This is what is happening:
- The GPC is currently involved in discussions with officials on this issue. A copy of the CMO’s letter can be found on our website.
- England’s Public Health officials have determined that London is particularly at risk of an outbreak, although there are mixed messages about the level of risk, and we at Londonwide LMCs are currently in discussion with the (NHSE) London Area Team on the issue of logistics and resources.
In the meantime many parents and young adults will be presenting to practices, and there will, with the media attention, inevitably be a rise in anxiety levels, even in those to whom this campaign doesn’t apply.
It is important that children who need it are able to be immunised, and that we are able to demonstrate to those who fail to recognise it, just how essential NHS general practice is, and how responsive we are to such challenges. To help us demonstrate this to the planners, and to identify the resources needed, please would you:
- Keep clear identifiable records of the MMR services you provide.
- If you are able, those consultations requested by those not at risk.
- It would be very helpful if you could email any concerns you have to us at [email protected].
For your information, we at Londonwide LMCs have today issued a media statement which can be seen below.
We will keep you informed of any further news when we have it.
With best wishes
Dr Michelle Drage FRCGP
Chief Executive
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Media Statement
“MMR Immunisation – Preventing Measles in London’s children”
Commenting on the MMR ‘catch up’ campaign proposed for London, Dr Michelle Drage, CEO, Londonwide LMCs’ representing the capital’s 6,500 GPs and practice teams today said:
“Measles is a horrible illness and can sometimes kill. We want to see that all children in London are fully protected to reduce the chances of an outbreak in the Capital. It is absolutely essential that in planning London’s MMR catch up campaign, all parts of the system, both at a health and local authority level, have timely access to the necessary resources (staff, vaccinations, syringes, information updates etc) to properly meet the expectations of a targeted campaign. And we are liaising with Public Health and NHS colleagues in London on this issue.
Adding: “We know from the swine flu situation a few years’ ago, it is essential that any vaccination campaign is designed to ensure that vulnerable youngsters receive the treatment they need, when they need it. Ultimately, the capital’s GP practices, working with other health colleagues, will do what we do best – dealing with the unexpected and managing risk to patients.