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Wales measles: MMR jabs at hospitals to fight disease Wales measles: MMR jabs at hospitals to fight disease
(about 3 hours later)
Free MMR vaccination sessions are being held at four Welsh hospitals aimed at curbing a measles epidemic across large areas of Wales.Free MMR vaccination sessions are being held at four Welsh hospitals aimed at curbing a measles epidemic across large areas of Wales.
Although aimed primarily at children, the vaccinations are available for anyone born after 1970 who has not had measles or been vaccinated against it.Although aimed primarily at children, the vaccinations are available for anyone born after 1970 who has not had measles or been vaccinated against it.
Saturday's sessions are being held at two main hospitals in Swansea, as well as in Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend.Saturday's sessions are being held at two main hospitals in Swansea, as well as in Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend.
Public health officials say confirmed measles cases have risen to 588.Public health officials say confirmed measles cases have risen to 588.
The latest figure shows 47 new cases of the disease since Wednesday, although this is less than half the increase of the previous week.The latest figure shows 47 new cases of the disease since Wednesday, although this is less than half the increase of the previous week.
Public Health Wales has attributed the slowdown in the spread of the disease to a rise in the number of people being inoculated.Public Health Wales has attributed the slowdown in the spread of the disease to a rise in the number of people being inoculated.
But it has warned that 3,800 children still have not had both doses of the MMR vaccine.But it has warned that 3,800 children still have not had both doses of the MMR vaccine.
It said just 600 in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board area received the jab in the past week.It said just 600 in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board area received the jab in the past week.
That figure does not include children who are vaccinated as normal at 13 months and three years four months.That figure does not include children who are vaccinated as normal at 13 months and three years four months.
Public health officials are urging parents of unvaccinated children to attend the sessions at Morriston and Singleton hospitals in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot Hospital and the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.Public health officials are urging parents of unvaccinated children to attend the sessions at Morriston and Singleton hospitals in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot Hospital and the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.
The drop-in MMR vaccination clinics are being held from 10:00 BST to 16:00 BST.The drop-in MMR vaccination clinics are being held from 10:00 BST to 16:00 BST.
Officials have said it is "just a matter of time" before a child is left with serious and permanent complications, such as eye disorders, deafness or brain damage, or even dies.Officials have said it is "just a matter of time" before a child is left with serious and permanent complications, such as eye disorders, deafness or brain damage, or even dies.
'Dreadful disease'
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board said no appointments were necessary and while they were targeting children and adolescents who had not had their scheduled MMR jabs, no-one would be turned away, including adults.Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board said no appointments were necessary and while they were targeting children and adolescents who had not had their scheduled MMR jabs, no-one would be turned away, including adults.
Some GP surgeries have responded to the epidemic by offering extra clinics for the MMR vaccine.Some GP surgeries have responded to the epidemic by offering extra clinics for the MMR vaccine.
Dr Marion Lyons, director of health protection for Public Health Wales, said: "I'm hopeful that through our collective efforts and with responsible parents getting their children vaccinated we can minimise the risks to children from this dreadful disease."Dr Marion Lyons, director of health protection for Public Health Wales, said: "I'm hopeful that through our collective efforts and with responsible parents getting their children vaccinated we can minimise the risks to children from this dreadful disease."
Although the epidemic is centred on Swansea, cases continue to be reported across Wales.Although the epidemic is centred on Swansea, cases continue to be reported across Wales.
The majority are in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, which as well as Swansea also includes Neath, Port Talbot and Bridgend; there are also cases in Powys and the Hywel Dda Health Board area, which covers Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.The majority are in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, which as well as Swansea also includes Neath, Port Talbot and Bridgend; there are also cases in Powys and the Hywel Dda Health Board area, which covers Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.