New MMR jab plea as measles cases soar

A BIG increase in measles cases in south Wales has prompted health chiefs to renew a plea for unvaccinated people to get their MMR jabs immediately.

Another 73 cases have now been reported, bringing the total number of those infected in the Swansea area to 693.

Public Health Wales is continuing to urge parents of unvaccinated children across Wales to act immediately to ensure they are protected against the potentially fatal disease. Further drop-in vaccination clinics are planned this week following emergency clinics held last weekend.

Although more than 2,600 MMR vaccines were received in the Swansea area last week, doctors warn this is not enough to bring the outbreak under control.

Marion Lyons, director health protection at PHW, said at least 6,000 children remain unvaccinated in the south west Wales county. Typical symptoms of measles include fever, cough, conjunctivitis and a rash.