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Swansea measles epidemic: Costs to health board revealed Swansea measles epidemic: Costs to health board revealed
(about 3 hours later)
The Swansea measles epidemic cost the health board at the centre of the problem almost half a million pounds, assembly members have been told. Nearly £500,000 was spent by the health board at the centre of the measles epidemic around Swansea to deal with the outbreak, it has been revealed.
Two other health boards say they faced combined costs of more than £150,000. Abertawe Bro Morgannwg health board gave evidence to the Welsh assembly's health committee along with two other health boards who said they had had a combined bill of £150,000.
Assembly members will hold an inquiry into the outbreak on Wednesday, a week after it was officially declared over. An inquiry into the outbreak is due to be held on Wednesday - a week after it was officially declared over.
More than 1,200 people fell ill, while 88 visited hospital and one person died during the outbreak, which started last November. More than 1,200 people caught measles.
Over 75,000 unscheduled MMR [measles, mumps and rubella] vaccinations were given to people around Wales who had not been immunised. The outbreak began in November. One person died and 88 needed hospital help.
As a result, 75,000 unscheduled MMR [measles, mumps and rubella] vaccinations were given to people around Wales who had not been immunised.
The response cost Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board an estimated £470,000, including £180,000 on vaccines.The response cost Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board an estimated £470,000, including £180,000 on vaccines.
The health board offered 35,000 vaccinations, including more than 5,000 for 10 to 18-year-olds, which was the main age group affected.The health board offered 35,000 vaccinations, including more than 5,000 for 10 to 18-year-olds, which was the main age group affected.
Jabs were given at schools and in GP surgeries throughout the region. Health workers, homeless people and staff and inmates at prisons were also offered vaccinations.Jabs were given at schools and in GP surgeries throughout the region. Health workers, homeless people and staff and inmates at prisons were also offered vaccinations.
The health board said Wales should capitalise from the boost in immunisations by launching a publicity campaign about MMR, particularly targeted at teenagers.The health board said Wales should capitalise from the boost in immunisations by launching a publicity campaign about MMR, particularly targeted at teenagers.
Last month it said 95% of children and teenagers in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend had received one MMR jab for the first time.Last month it said 95% of children and teenagers in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend had received one MMR jab for the first time.
So-called herd immunity is reached when 95% have had both doses.So-called herd immunity is reached when 95% have had both doses.
In evidence to the assembly's health committee, Betsi Cadwaladr health board, which covers north Wales, said it had faced costs of £90,000. In evidence to the Welsh assembly's health committee, Betsi Cadwaladr health board, which covers north Wales, said it had faced costs of £90,000.
Aneurin Bevan health board in south east Wales spent £60,000 on its emergency measles plan.Aneurin Bevan health board in south east Wales spent £60,000 on its emergency measles plan.
Press coverage of the MMR autism scare 10 years ago has been blamed for leaving children in the Swansea area vulnerable to infection.Press coverage of the MMR autism scare 10 years ago has been blamed for leaving children in the Swansea area vulnerable to infection.
Uptake of the vaccine for two-year-olds in Wales fell from a quarterly peak of 94% in 1995 to 78% by 2003. In Swansea it fell to 67.5%.Uptake of the vaccine for two-year-olds in Wales fell from a quarterly peak of 94% in 1995 to 78% by 2003. In Swansea it fell to 67.5%.
The Welsh government has praised the response to the outbreak, saying Wales had a public health system "capable of leading and co-ordinating an intense and effective effort".The Welsh government has praised the response to the outbreak, saying Wales had a public health system "capable of leading and co-ordinating an intense and effective effort".
"This enabled services to respond quickly and establish processes to deliver large numbers of vaccinations efficiently and effectively outside routine arrangements," it said."This enabled services to respond quickly and establish processes to deliver large numbers of vaccinations efficiently and effectively outside routine arrangements," it said.
However, the Welsh Conservatives said a full public inquiry was needed to learn the lessons of the outbreak.However, the Welsh Conservatives said a full public inquiry was needed to learn the lessons of the outbreak.
In its evidence, the British Medical Association (BMA) said: "A lack of experience in identifying the disease, both in the population and amongst medical and nursing staff, also meant that these initial cases might not have been diagnosed swiftly."In its evidence, the British Medical Association (BMA) said: "A lack of experience in identifying the disease, both in the population and amongst medical and nursing staff, also meant that these initial cases might not have been diagnosed swiftly."
Consideration was given to quarantining susceptible people, but it was judged that there was unlikely to be political or public support for the move, the BMA said.Consideration was given to quarantining susceptible people, but it was judged that there was unlikely to be political or public support for the move, the BMA said.
When the outbreak reached "the explosive growth stage", the NHS "leapt to respond", it added.When the outbreak reached "the explosive growth stage", the NHS "leapt to respond", it added.