Officials have warned that music festivals can be hotspots for measles and anyone who has not had two doses of the MMR vaccine is at risk.
There are several large measles outbreaks across Europe and there has been an increase in measles cases across England. Officials know festivalgoers aged 15 – 25 years may have missed out on the MMR vaccine as a child. In 1998, a falsified report wrongly linked the vaccine with Autism with a major impact on public confidence.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at Public Health England, told TheFestivals: “it’s not too late for people who have missed out, they can still go to their GP to get vaccinated.”
Officials at Public Health England said: “Although they’re great fun, festivals can be hotspots for measles – anyone who has not had two doses of the MMR vaccine is at risk.”
Festivalgoers are advised to check with their GP practise if they are up to date with both MMR jabs and to “make an appointment to get caught up before attending festivals.”
In 2016 there were 52 cases of measles linked to music festivals in England and Wales, including 16 at Glastonbury and 7 at NASS. Nearly half of these cases were in young people aged 15 to 19 years.
At one festival, multiple people caught measles then attended other festivals while infectious, resulting in multiple linked outbreaks. The World Health Organisation says there has been a 300% rise in measles cases so far in 2019 compared to 2017.
Measles is very infectious and can cause severe complications. In rare cases, it can be fatal. The infection starts with cold-like symptoms and sore red eyes followed by a high temperature and a red-brown blotchy rash. Anyone experiencing these symptoms is advised to contact NHS 111.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock recently suggested unvaccinated children should be banned from schools, weeks after New York County banned unvaccinated kids from public spaces.
Dr Mary Ramsay said: “The UK achieved WHO measles elimination status in 2017, however, due to ongoing international measles outbreaks including within Europe, we will continue to see cases, particularly in unimmunised individuals. Measles can be extremely serious, so make sure you and your friends are protected.”
Public Health England advice states you need both doses of MMR to be protected and it’s never too late to get the vaccine. They recommend calling your GP to catch up.
Officials said last year that music festivals “pose an ideal opportunity for the infection to spread quickly” and that “close-mixing environments such as festivals are more at risk” of the disease spreading. Anyone showing symptoms was advised to stay away.
TheFestivals contacted the organisers of multiple upcoming events for response but none wished to comment.
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