Re: Measles
Dear Parents/Carers,
I am writing to you as we have had a case of Measles reported in our school this week and therefore want to ensure that all parent/carers are well informed to help us keep our school community safe. We have a number of staff and children who are considered medically vulnerable and so we are asking all parents and carers to check for symptoms so to prevent it spreading. Please read this letter carefully & do not send your child into school if you think they have any symptoms of measles.
Measles
Measles can spread very quickly and easily in communities such as schools amongst people who have not had two doses of the MMR vaccine. Measles can cause serious illness needing hospitalisation – and in rare cases it can cause death.
People in certain at-risk groups, including babies and small children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity, are at increased risk of complications if they catch measles. Anyone who missed their MMR vaccination can get measles.
Vaccination with TWO doses of MMR is the only way to give people maximum protection.
If anyone in your family is not up to date with their MMR vaccinations, contact your GP surgery to arrange vaccination as soon as possible.
Symptoms of measles Symptoms appear between 7 to 10 days after some becomes infected. Typical symptoms include;
• cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and a cough
• sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light
• watery eyes
• swollen eyes
• a high temperature (fever), which may reach around 40°C (104°F)
• small greyish-white spots in the mouth
• aches and pains
• loss of appetite
• tiredness, irritability and a general lack of energy
What to do if you think your child has measles
• contact NHS 111 or phone your GP surgery. If you do need to visit a GP or hospital, you must call ahead to let them know that it could be measles. The staff will make special arrangements to see you and/or your child so that, if they have measles, they won’t pass it to other people.
• If you think your child may have measles, it is very important that they do not attend school. They must not return until at least 4 days after the rash appears, because they will still be infectious which means they can spread measles to others.
• It is also important that anyone suspected of having measles isolates at home and does not mix with others at all.
Please contact the school to let us know if you are keeping your child at home because that have any symptoms.
Vaccination
The MMR vaccine protects against 3 infections: measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). These are viral infections that can quickly spread to unprotected children and adults – they spread more easily than flu or the common cold.
For people who do not touch any pork products, there is a version of the MMR vaccine called Priorix which has no pork ingredients. You can request Priorix from your GP. You can have the MMR vaccine at any age. It is safe, effective and free of charge.
To protect the staff and pupils and prevent onwards transmission of Measles, if your child is unvaccinated or partially vaccinated (not received two MMR doses) and shows any of the symptoms below, no matter how mild, it is important that you please keep them away from school for at least four days (as the rash usually appears a few days after the cold like symptoms) or until they have fully recovered. If your child also develops a rash, they should stay away from school for at least FOUR days after the rash has appeared.
More information on measles and MMR
• NHS measles information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/
• NHS MMR information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine/
• UKHSA leaflet on measles (also available in a range of languages): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-dont-let-your-child-catch-it-flyerfor-schools
We thank-you for your support,
Regards
Sarah
Sarah Osborne
(Headteacher)