WHO warning: 'explosion of measles cases over the winter'

[itsatiggerday]

Anyone else seen this in the paper (Times) today? Don't have online access so can't link but BBC version also covers.

Basic message is that all of Europe needs to focus on improving immunisation rates across populations that are inadequately covered. Young adults who had not been vaccinated are experiencing the most cases, I guess as they were small when the wretched useless study freaked everyone out and didn't get any vaccinations. Uptake has increased here since it was so discredited, but we're still below herd immunity.

Can't believe we're letting children and teenagers die from a disease we have controlled in the past :(

I heard something on the news about extended breastfeeding possibly causing some kind of harm, a few months ago...ds2 just started school this morning, (ft in January) and he had some milk before we set off.

Ha
Oh well

you can't win, can you!

btw thanks Tigger. I read that giving the MMR to a child who had already had measles might not be a good thing to do, though the NHS people I spoke to at our surgery seemed VERY reluctant to speak about it at all, except for toeing the party line.

They almost had a mental script. 'the controversial evidence was discredited'. 'Your child is perfectly safe'. 'The MMR cannot harm him whether or not he has already had measles'.

Me: And you know this how?
Them: [ blank expression ]
Me: I think we'll leave it for now, thankyou

I find that so frustrating talking to people who are just offer the party line but don't understand the rationale.

I have found that it can work to go in with a positive statement of support for the big issue and then get into the details as they don't feel like they have to 'persuade' you. So "I want to talk about measles immunisation because ds2 hasn't had it, and I'm concerned to make sure he is covered properly. I just have a couple of questions about..." and talk to a doctor rather than practice nurses etc as there is usually a better chance they've actually thought through the underlying reasons. But it does depend who you get. Hope they're more helpful.