'My children's lives depend on you listening to doctors': Frightened Halifax mum's measles jab plea
A terrified Halifax mum has made a desperate plea for people to listen to doctors’ advice when it comes to a dangerous disease.
Health experts warned last week that there is a real risk of a measles outbreak in West Yorkshire, where vaccination rates have fallen over recent years.
Tragically, a child died with the disease in Liverpool earlier this month.
The Halifax mum, who does not wish to be named, said her two children are too young to be fully vaccinated yet so they are “at the mercy of others’ decisions”.
One is two and won’t receive her second dose of the MMR vaccine until she is three and four months, and the other is only six months old.
"Choosing not to vaccinate isn't just a personal decision, it puts vulnerable people – like my baby – at serious risk,” she said.
"Research shows that 90 per cent of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will become infected.
"When I think about that, my mind goes straight to all the babies being born every day at Calderdale.
"Tiny, innocent lives that haven’t even had the chance to be protected by vaccines yet.
"I urge everyone to stop listening to social media influencers and start listening to doctors and scientists.
"This isn’t about personal entitlement, it’s about public responsibility.
"People need to educate themselves from reliable sources. Lives depend on it, including my children.”
Measles can affect both children and adults. People at higher risk, such as babies, young children, pregnant women and people with weaker immunity may face more complications from measles.
People can ask their GP surgery if they are not sure if they or their child has had the vaccine. The vaccine is free on the NHS.
Dr James Thomas, medical director at NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said: “There is a real risk of a measles outbreak in West Yorkshire – vaccination rates have fallen over recent years.
“Measles is more than just a rash – it is a serious, potentially life-changing condition that spreads very easily.
"It can lead to severe illness and even death in children. For pregnant women, it can cause premature birth, low birth weight and stillbirths.”