In the context of rising measles cases in Birmingham and London, it is helpful for practice staff to be aware of current guidance and resources in relation to the diagnosis, management and prevention of measles. MMR is part of the NHS Routine Childhood Immunisation Programme with the first dose offered at one year and a second dose at three years, four months. Practices are encouraged to continue to offer the vaccine to eligible older cohorts who may have missed their first and/or second dose.
Patient facing guidance
- NHS England: MMR vaccine explainer, reviewed 8 March 2024
- UKHSA: measles factsheet, updated 11 April 2024.
- UKHSA: MMR for all: general guidance, updated 25 March 2024.
- UKHSA: measles warn and inform letter
Practice facing guidance
- UKHSA: national measles guidelines, updated 11 April 2024.
- UKHSA: measles communications toolkit and social media assets, updated January 2024.
- UKHSA: national measles statistics, updated weekly since January 2024.
- UKHSA: measles epidemiology 2023 and 2024, updated 15 April 2024.
- NHS England: guidance for risk assessment and infection prevention and control measures for measles in healthcare settings, updated 25 March. Note: see BMA letter below re: resourcing of measles catch-up activities, PPE supply etc.
- NHS England: Confirmation of national vaccination and immunisation catch-up campaign for 2023/24, the catch-up campaign for people aged up to 25 years old ran until March 2024.
Local commissioner’s guidance
On 21 February 2024, NHS North West London hosted a London-wide GP webinar on the topic of measles and MMR vaccinations for GPs and medical professionals. This included two patient facing resources:
BMA concerns
- On 31 January, the BMA’s General Practitioners Committee wrote to NHS England raising concerns around the workload associated with providing MMR catch-up jabs and the impact of managing patients with symptoms of measles in practices.
Indemnity cover for staff MMR
The Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP) confirmed in late February 2024 that they would cover practices vaccinating their own staff where those staff are not registered patients of the practice. First doses were covered until the end of March, cover for second doses runs until the end of May and there is a banner on the NHS Resolution website telling practices this. Item of service payments will not be provided to cover the administration of MMR jabs to staff who are not registered patients of a practice.