Tag: measles

2 Comments

Deadly measles travelling into Scotland despite 96% vaccination rate

johnrobertson834

From Public Health Scotland, yesterday: Public Health Scotland is aware of five cases of laboratory confirmed measles in Scotland since October 2023, all of which have been linked to travel. The latest two cases were confirmed today, 16 February 2024. PHS is encouraging the public to take up the offer of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Having two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to be fully protected against measles. Anyone who hasn’t had two doses of the free MMR vaccine is encouraged to visit the NHS Inform website to find out how to arrange … Continue reading Deadly measles travelling into Scotland despite 96% vaccination rate

16 Comments

Not one case of measles in Scotland for three years, 95% vaccination and the Herald’s health correspondent tries to suggest it’s like the West Midlands here too

johnrobertson834

I’m indebted to for As a genuine and scary surge in measles cases after plummeting vaccination rates among young children explodes in parts of England, especially London and the West Midlands, the Herald’s Helen McUrdle, yesterday, asks: Measles, MMR, vaccine hesitancy: How at risk is Scotland? and suggests: The West Midlands region of England is in the grip of its worst measles outbreak since the 1990s, while uptake of the MMR vaccine in Scotland is at it lowest level since records began in 2014. Her report is packed full of England’s data and a Roald Dahl story. There’s no sign … Continue reading Not one case of measles in Scotland for three years, 95% vaccination and the Herald’s health correspondent tries to suggest it’s like the West Midlands here too

6 Comments

Measles outbreak – Surely the Herald would not cherry pick dates?

johnrobertson834

By stewartb The absence of news coverage of measles from a Scotland perspective in the relevant section of the BBC News website is worthy of note. After all, BBC Scotland supposedly provides a public service and arguably, issues of public health relevant to children merit greater attention. BBC Scotland COULD communicate the significance of Scotland’s relatively high rate of MMR vaccine take-up and provide evidence – for context and perspective – which would encourage even higher levels. It’s not as if BBC Scotland has always been ‘disinterested’! From its News website dated 25 June 2019 we find this headline: ‘MMR … Continue reading Measles outbreak – Surely the Herald would not cherry pick dates?

8 Comments

Scotland’s ‘safest in UK’ measles vaccination rates not worth comparing in the media unlike drug deaths

johnrobertson834

The Guardian today has: UK measles outbreaks: why are cases rising and vaccination rates falling? BBC London has: Mum urges vaccine push and shares how son died after catching measles The UK Mail has: UK GRIPPED BY MEASLES CRISIS The Mail in Scotland has only WhatsApp cover-ups and BBC Scotland focus on the same plus catching up on Michelle Mone. What is the actual situation in Scotland with regard to measles vaccination rates compared to rUK figures? Well it’s pretty newsworthy you’d think. Typically in the West Midlands, they’d see no cases but in the last month they’ve had 50! … Continue reading Scotland’s ‘safest in UK’ measles vaccination rates not worth comparing in the media unlike drug deaths

2 Comments

SNP Government protecting Scotland from deadly measles outbreak spreading across Europe and ‘third world’ UK

johnrobertson834

Thanks once more to Dottie for alerting me to this. After the bombing of Yemen, this was the top story at 6pm on BBC News. The focus was on the West Midlands after describing a surge in cases across Europe and attributing this to a fall in vaccination rates. No Scottish data were presented and Reporting Scotland at 6.30pm clearly felt no need to inform let alone reassure. Typically in the West Midlands, they’d see no cases but in the last month they’ve had 50! Globally infections, according to the WHO had gone up from less than 1 000 to … Continue reading SNP Government protecting Scotland from deadly measles outbreak spreading across Europe and ‘third world’ UK