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Wales measles: Long queues for MMR jabs at hospitals Wales measles: Long queues for MMR jabs at hospitals
(35 minutes later)
Long queues have formed as four south Wales hospitals offer free MMR vaccinations aimed at curbing a measles epidemic.Long queues have formed as four south Wales hospitals offer free MMR vaccinations aimed at curbing a measles epidemic.
People began waiting at one, Morriston Hospital in Swansea, an hour before the doors opened at 10:00 BST. People began waiting at one, Morriston Hospital in Swansea, an hour before the doors opened at 10:00 BST on Saturday.
By mid-morning about 75 children and their parents were outside the clinic.By mid-morning about 75 children and their parents were outside the clinic.
The outbreak has affected nearly 600 people so far in south, mid and west Wales, and sessions are also being held in Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend.The outbreak has affected nearly 600 people so far in south, mid and west Wales, and sessions are also being held in Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend.
Although aimed primarily at children, the vaccinations are available for anyone born after 1970 who has not had measles or been vaccinated.Although aimed primarily at children, the vaccinations are available for anyone born after 1970 who has not had measles or been vaccinated.
Public health officials say confirmed measles cases have risen to 588 in the south Wales outbreak which is centred on Swansea. Public health officials say confirmed measles cases have risen to 588 in the south Wales outbreak, which is centred on Swansea.
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 have still 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 until 16:00 BST on Saturday.The drop-in MMR vaccination clinics are being held until 16:00 BST on Saturday.
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.
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. Typical symptoms of measles include fever, cough, conjunctivitis and a rash. Complications are quite common even in healthy people and about 20% of reported measles cases experience one or more complication.
Some GP surgeries have responded to the epidemic by offering extra clinics for the MMR vaccine. These can include ear infections, vomiting and diarrhoea, pneumonia, meningitis and serious eye disorders.
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board said no appointments were necessary at its drop-in vaccination clinics 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 also 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 based on Swansea, cases continue to be reported across Wales.Although the epidemic is based 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.
Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases of measles across north-east England has reached 200 since September 2012.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has already declared the outbreak one of the worst in recent years.
There have been 200 confirmed and 176 suspected cases in north-east England, compared to just 18 confirmed in 2011.