Parents, beware the devastating consequences of measles | Letters

The article highlights the concerning consequences of declining measles vaccine uptake. It features personal accounts from former school nursing sister Joan Stephens and others, emphasizing the importance of accessible vaccination services. Stephens recounts witnessing a significant drop in vaccine uptake from 98% to less than 40% when the local health authority discontinued the school-based vaccination program. This was attributed to parents forgetting or losing the letters sent home, or being unable to take time off work to take their child to the local GP surgery. The article underscores the need for convenient, school-based vaccination services to maintain high immunization rates and prevent the resurgence of measles, a highly contagious and potentially devastating disease. It serves as a cautionary tale, urging parents to be vigilant about vaccine misinformation and the devastating consequences of declining vaccination rates.