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Measles is more than just a rash – it can lead to serious problems if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as lungs or the brain, including pneumonia, meningitis, blindness or seizures.
These problems are rare but some people are more at risk of complications, including babies, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
Vaccination is the best protection against becoming seriously unwell. You just need two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
This vaccination is safe and has been used since the early 1980s but some adults may not have had it when they were children.
If you never had the vaccine as a child, or aren’t sure, it’s important to check your status.
Check with your GP or on the NHS app.
If you are travelling abroad this summer, or you or a family member are heading off to university in the autumn, it’s a good time to check.
More than 20 million cases of measles have been prevented since the start of measles vaccination in the UK, with more than 4,500 lives saved as a result (81 lives per year).
The vaccination is free on the NHS, with the first dose being offered when a child is one and the second at 3 years and 4 months old.
Speak to your GP surgery if you need to arrange a vaccination. It’s never too late to catch up.