The NHS has announced it is targeting young adults to catch up on their missed measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines as part of the NHS catch-up campaign.

In England, more than 900,000 adults aged 19 to 25 years will be invited to book an appointment for their missed vaccine.

Following on from the national health service’s recent reminder for 200,000 16- to 19-year-olds to receive the MMR vaccine, the NHS campaign will target young adults in areas more at risk: the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and London.

MMR are highly infectious illnesses that can lead to blindness, deafness and swelling of the brain.

Currently one of the most infectious diseases globally, with no medical treatment available, one adult or child infected with measles can pass the disease on to around 15 other unvaccinated individuals.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), between October 2023 and March 2024, approximately 733 cases of measles occurred in England.

Given via a single injection, the MMR vaccine consists of two doses, which work to provide someone with effective, lifelong protection against becoming seriously ill with the disease.

Unvaccinated individuals will be able to receive their MMR vaccination via their GP surgery, as well as pop-up vaccination clinics provided in some libraries, university campuses, sports clubs and other areas.

In January, as part of its first phase, the NHS catch-up campaign invited over a million parents and carers of six- to 11-year-olds in England who were not up to date with their MMR vaccinations to book an appointment for their children.

Steve Russell, NHS director of vaccinations and screening, said: “Measles, mumps and rubella are preventable, but catching them is easy when people are unvaccinated.”

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant medical epidemiologist for immunisation, UKHSA, said: “The MMR jab also protects against complications from mumps in young adults.

“I strongly urge anyone who’s not vaccinated to protect both themselves and those more vulnerable around them.”

https://pharmatimes.com/news/nhs-campaign-urges-over-900000-young-adults-to-catch-up-on-missed-mmr-vaccine/