Measles
The number of people catching measles is rising in Greater Manchester.
Measles is a very infectious disease – just a cough or sneeze can spread the virus to other people.
It spreads easily and quickly among those who are not vaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools.
Measles can also be very dangerous. Some people get very sick from measles and can develop pneumonia and meningitis. One in five people with measles will go to hospital and in very rare cases people can die from the disease.
People in certain at-risk groups including babies and young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity, are at increased risk of complications from measles.
If you think you or your child may have measles, stay at home and phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice.
Stay away from GP surgeries, A&E departments and other health care venues.
Signs and symptoms
Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some people. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent it.
Symptoms of measles appear 7-10 days after contact with the virus and include:
- cold-like symptoms such as runny or blocked nose, sneezing and cough
- sore, red watery eyes
- high temperature (fever), which may reach around 40OC / 104OF
- a non-itchy, red-brown rash usually appears 3-5 days later (it sometimes starts around the ears before spreading to rest of the body) spots may be raised and join to form blotchy patches – which may be harder to see on darker skin tones
- small white spots may appear inside cheeks and the back of lips (for a few days)
Measles rash
The rash starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.
The spots of the measles rash are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They’re not usually itchy.
The rash looks different on different skin tones.
On darker skin tones, there may be some redness, but usually not very much. The rash may be harder to see and may be purple, grey, white or darker than the surrounding skin.
On lighter skin tones the rash is red.
If you have symptoms of measles, stay at home and phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice.
Stay away from GP surgeries, A&E departments and other healthcare venues.
People with measles should stay off nursery, school or work for at least four days from when the rash first appears.
It’s never too late to be vaccinated.
You need two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected.
The NHS website has lots more helpful information about how to spot measles, what symptoms you should look out for, and what to do if you think you or someone you know has caught it.
Visit nhs.uk for information about measles Visit nhs.uk for information about measlesVaccination
There’s no specific medical treatment for measles, so it’s important to get vaccinated.
Measles vaccinations are changing in 2026. The MMRV vaccine has replaced the MMR vaccine for young children aged 0-5 years.
MMRV protects against measles, mumps rubella and chicken pox (varicella). All of these can be very serious. It has previously been used in other countries.
The number of vaccinations children will be offered and when depends on their age.
It’s usually given to children when they are 12 months and 18 months old. Some older children are also offered it.
Check the details our 0-5 childhood immunisations page.
Measles is serious at any age
Measles is not just a childhood disease and can be serious at any age. If caught during pregnancy it can cause stillbirth, miscarriage and low birth weight.
The MMR vaccine is still available for older children and adults born on or before 31 December 2019 who were not vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella when they were younger.
Anyone can catch up at any age on any missed doses. It’s never too late to protect yourself.
To get the best protection you need to have two doses of the vaccine. Those who haven’t had both doses will be more at risk.
Children
Children under one year old are most at risk if family members and social contacts are not immunised.
Starting nursery and school increases the risk of children being exposed to infectious diseases so it is important to protect your child.
Parents who are unsure if their child is up to date with all of their routine immunisations should check their child’s Red Book (personal child health record), check the NHS app, or contact their GP practice. If children have not had their vaccinations, then their GP can arrange a vaccination, free of charge.
Adults
Adults who are unsure of their own vaccination status can speak to their GP who will arrange for a catch-up immunisation if necessary – this is also free of charge.
If you or your child is immunocompromised, please seek advice before you have the vaccinations. Your local GP or specialist will advise you on what to do.
Anyone who is unable to touch pork products can request a non-porcine version (Priorix Tetra) of the vaccination from their GP.
Frequently asked questions
While the MMRV vaccine gives protection to children over 12 months against measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox, the immune response to the vaccine in babies under 12 months is not so strong and is unreliable.
We only offer the vaccine to under ones when there is a high and imminent risk, such as during a nursery outbreak or when the child is travelling to a high-risk country. But they would still need a further two doses to ensure they are fully protected.
The best way to protect the very young, who are more vulnerable, is by ensuring other children and members in the household are fully protected with two doses of MMR – hugely reducing the risk of them passing the virus onto the young child.
Your GP surgery should be able to check whether you’ve had both doses of the vaccines
You may also be able to access your vaccination record online through GP online services or the NHS app.
If your vaccination records are not available, or do not exist, it will not harm you to have the vaccine again.
From 1 January 2026, children born on or after 1 July 2024 will be offered the second dose of the vaccine at a new 18 month vaccination appointment. Any children who miss this second dose of MMR can have it at their pre-school vaccination appointment at 3 year and 4 months, at the same time as their 4 in 1 booster.
Children born before 1 July 2024 who are still due their second dose will continue to have it at their pre-school appointment at 3 years and 4 months.
The second dose is clinically effective whether it is given at 18 months or at 3 years and 4 months. Both schedules provide excellent protection against these serious diseases.
The second dose of the vaccine is being brought forward from January 2026 in an attempt to improve uptake. It should help us achieve the The World Health Organization’s 95 per cent uptake target which is needed to prevent outbreaks in the community.
If you are unsure about which vaccines your child is due, please check their Red Book or speak to your GP practice or health visitor who can provide personalised advice about your child’s immunisations.
As a precaution, the MMR vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women.
You should also avoid becoming pregnant for one month after having the MMR vaccine.
It’s best to let your GP or midwife know if you had the MMR vaccine while you were pregnant.
Evidence suggests there will be no harm to your baby, but it’s better to let them know.
The MMR vaccine is not recommended for people with a severely weakened immune system. For example, people receiving chemotherapy.
If you have a medical condition or are taking medicine that may affect your immune system, check with your healthcare provider if it’s safe for you to have the MMR vaccine.
Yes, but anyone who is unable to consume pork products can request a non-porcine version (Priorix Tetra) from their GP.
The evidence is clear: there is no link between the vaccine and autism with many studies including WHO, and those published in The Lancet, reporting on this.
Need information in different formats and languages?
Members of the d/Deaf community can watch our measles video.
We have also produced an easy read leaflet and information on measles from the UK Health Security Agency is available to download in many different languages below.
MMR vaccine
The Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine helps protect children and adults against all 3 illnesses. Find out more about the illnesses and the vaccine on the link below.
Find out more about the MMR Find out more about the MMRPre-school vaccines
The MMR vaccine is just one of the vaccines that young children should have before they start school to help protect them from serious childhood illnesses.
Find out more about the pre-school vaccines Find out more about the pre-school vaccinesInformation for professionals
Download our information sheets.
