YOUNG adults in the York area are being advised to ensure they have received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, following a rise in the number of cases nationally this summer.

Measles can be more severe in teenagers and adults and some may need hospital treatment. Measles is also extremely infectious and summer events like music festivals and fairs and students starting university, where people are mixing closely with each other, provide the ideal place for the infection to spread.

The vaccine also protects against other serious illnesses including mumps. Anyone who is unsure of their vaccination status should contact their GP practice to make an appointment. The advice from City of York Council comes after Public Health England announced there has been an increase in the number of cases of measles in young people during the summer festival season.

City of York Council’s director of public health, Sharon Stoltz said: “Children and young adults up to the age of 18 who missed, or only partially completed, their earlier MRR vaccination can have a ‘catch up’ MMR vaccination. If you’re not sure if you or your child is up to date with your vaccination please contact your GP”.

Dr Tim Maycock, the NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group’s clinical lead for primary care, said: “It’s especially important for teenagers leaving home for college to be up-to-date with the MMR vaccine as they are at higher risk of mumps, a disease that can be very serious. Complications from mumps can include swelling of the ovaries and testicles, infertility, meningitis and deafness.

“The best protection against mumps is the MMR vaccine which is given in two doses as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule”.