MMR Vaccine: North West

(asked on 26th January 2024) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to increase uptake of the MMR vaccine in (a) Preston, (b) Lancashire, and (c) the North West.


Answered by
Maria Caulfield Portrait
Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
This question was answered on 5th February 2024

A Lancashire Measles Incident Management Group has been set up to coordinate actions across Lancashire. This is chaired by the Director of Public Health and will meet weekly, and includes officers from Preston City Council. It works in partnership with NHS England, the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), community leaders and local general practices.

The ICB's Communications and Engagement team is coordinating and collaborating with counterparts in local authorities across Lancashire and South Cumbria to enhance the level of understanding of the measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and measles. In supporting the national call and recall service, the main focus is on access to primary care for a vaccine. Furthermore, the National Health Service is working with the UK Health Security Agency to ensure the region can respond to any measles cases in a timely manner, which will include stepping up any wider vaccination offers outside of general practice if this is required.

Across the North West there is a clear focus on targeting areas of low uptake for children who may not have received one MMR vaccination. Partnership working is in place involving all key players to ensure a joined-up approach and the best use of resources.

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