Low MMR Vaccination Rates Put Measles Eradication Plans Under Threat

Outbreaks of measles are putting Europe's commitment to eliminate the disease by 2015 under threat, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. Levels of vaccination have been too low in some countries, particularly in rich western European nations. It says catch-up vaccination campaigns, such as the one launched in the UK, are needed across the continent. Experts said it was not too late to hit the target, but "extraordinary" effort was needed.

Measles causes high fever and a rash and can be fatal.

Threat to Measles Elimination Plans - BBC News 7th May 2013

Mothers may pass on jab fears to infants

A preliminary study of 50 mothers indicates that babies with first-time mothers exhibited signs of significantly more pain before the needle insertion and during the vaccination than those with experienced mothers. Researchers believe the heightened pain levels could be directly related to the mother’s anxiety about the procedure. Meanwhile, the mothers were also asked to estimate the pain felt by their baby during the procedure.The findings, published in the Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, suggest that both new and experienced mothers overestimate their child’s pain.
Nursing Times 9th January 2013

Health Protection Agency Urges Pregnant Women To Take Up Whooping Cough Vaccine Offer

Three babies died from whooping cough in October as one of the worst outbreaks of the disease in decades continues, Health Protection Agency figures for England and Wales show. It brings the number of deaths in newborns, who are most at risk of fatal complications, to 13 this year. There were 1,614 infections last month, bringing the total to 7,728 this year. A UK-wide campaign to vaccinate pregnant women, to pass protection on to their children, is under way. There are surges in whooping cough cases every three to four years. However, the current outbreak has affected nearly 10 times as many people as the previous outbreak in 2008.

30/11/12 BBC News

Pregnant women to receive whooping cough vaccinations

Widely reported today - All pregnant women are to be offered vaccination against whooping cough when they are 28-38 weeks pregnant, the government has announced. The recommendation follows a sharp rise in the number of whooping cough cases in the UK. The scheme will begin on Monday 1st October 2012.

There is a large outbreak of whooping cough in the UK at the moment, with three times more cases in the general population than there were last year. In the first seven months of this year, 235 babies under 12 weeks old had whooping cough. Sadly, at the time of writing 10 of these babies have died. Babies are not vaccinated against whooping cough until they are two months old, so those who are too young to be vaccinated are at greatest risk.

You should be offered the whooping cough vaccination at a routine antenatal appointment when you are between 28 and 38 weeks pregnant. Getting vaccinated while you’re pregnant could help to protect your baby from developing whooping cough in its first few weeks of life.

28/9/12 NHS Behind the Headlines

NCT press release

‘Five S's’ ease babies' pain during vaccinations

Some physical comfort and a soothing voice may make routine vaccinations a little easier on babies without resorting to painkillers like acetaminophen, a new study suggests. Researchers tested the so-called ‘5 S'’ approach - a method of soothing a fussy baby popularised by paediatrician, Dr. Harvey Karp, in the book, ‘The Happiest Baby on the Block’. The ‘S's’ stand for swaddling, side/stomach position, shushing, swinging and sucking. The study, published in the journal, ‘Paediatrics’, included 234 two- and four-month-old infants having routine vaccinations.

uk.reuters.com 18/4/12