Children – Barnabas Patient Voices

Measles Warning

Keith — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 10:57:33 +0000

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued another warning about measles. Infections in Europe (including UK) are at a 25-year high, so there is concern that unvaccinated holidaymakers are especially vulnerable to catching the disease (and, of course, bringing it home after a ruined holiday).

There’s a BBC News report at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c706y4jr95lo.

Whooping Cough

Keith — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 11:42:50 +0000

Whooping Cough is out there and case rates are (relatively) high compared with most rcenet years. So here’s an interesting critique of the UKHSA’s “keep calm” message.
Whooping cough – have UKHSA got the framing right?

Whooping Cough on the Rise

Keith — Fri, 10 May 2024 09:01:16 +0000

Cases of Whopping Cough (Pertussis) are continuing to rise across the country – and it can be a killer, especially for the very young.

BBC Report.

Measles

Keith — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 14:19:47 +0000

The UK Health Security agency (UKHSA) has declared a national health incident due to the rising number of cases of measles.

The increase is brought about by the low take-up of the MMR vaccination with a country average of only 85% (and as low as 75% in London) of children starting school being fully vaccinated – far below the required 95%. Measles is the most infectious of diseases (way more than Covid or flu) and can be an incredibly serious illness with up to 40% of sick children needing to be hospitalised.

Parents are advised to check the vaccination status of their children and ensure they have catch-up vaccination if required.

There is also a suggestion that adults (including older adults who had measles before vaccination started) should consider a booster jab as although immunity is long-lasting it can decline. We don’t know if such boosters are, or will be, available on the NHS as currently all we’ve seen is a suggestion in the media.

Guardian report of UKHSA position: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/jan/19/surge-in-measles-cases-prompts-uk-to-declare-national-health-incident
Report suggesting adult measles boosters: https://theconversation.com/measles-is-the-most-infectious-disease-known-to-science-adults-should-consider-getting-another-mmr-vaccine-221291

Scabies

Keith — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 12:31:10 +0000

Apparently the UK is facing an unusually large outbreak of scabies. This is being made worse by a shortage of the drugs used to treat it.

More at https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-01-uk-unusually-large-scabies-outbreaks.html

Parents/Carers of ADHD/Autistic Children

Keith — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 13:58:44 +0000

We’ve received the following from NW London NHS …

Online parents drop-in support for parents and carers of ADHD/autistic children and young people

Our online drop-in support groups are a wonderful opportunity to talk to our family support team, who are here to offer guidance and support.

Connect with other parents to share stories, offer advice and build a supportive community.

You are welcome whether your child is formally diagnosed, on the pathway, or if you suspect your child may need an assessment and what to know the next steps.

Every Monday from 10:30am to 12pm
Every Wednesday from 7pm to 8:30pm

If interested contact enquiries@adhdandautistim.org

MMR Vaccination

Keith — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 17:36:02 +0000

Parents in England are being urged to ensure children get MMR jab amid uptake drop.

With just 84.5% f 5-year-olds having had both doses of MMR, vaccination levels are at their lowest since 2010-11. Uptake of other key jabs is also too low.

Guardian report at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/sep/29/parents-in-england-urged-to-ensure-children-get-mmr-vaccine-amid-uptake-drop.

Rise in UK measles cases

Keith — Sat, 06 May 2023 11:41:42 +0000

A “very concerning” rise in the number of people catching measles in the UK has been reported by health officials.

BBC News report at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-65481976.

Childhood Vaccination Reminder

Keith — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 15:46:43 +0000

This reminder about childhood vaccinations has been received from NW London NHS …

Many children missed vital routine vaccinations over the past couple of years, putting them at risk of preventable diseases. The good news is that it’s not too late to protect your child from serious illness, make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can.

For more information click on the link … https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/