Greater Manchester pharmacies begin MMR vaccination pilot

Selected pharmacies across Greater Manchester are to take part in a North-west pilot programme to support uptake of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination.

15 pharmacies in Greater Manchester, including Scorah Pharmacy in Bramhall, are taking part in the pilot scheme to allow one aged 5 or over who has missed their MMR vaccine to get their vaccination from a pharmacist without an appointment. 28 other pharmacies elsewhere in the North-west are also taking part in the scheme: 13 in Lancashire and South Cumbria, and 15 in Cheshire and Merseyside.

Aneet Kapoor, chair of the pharmacy local professional network, said:

“Our pharmacists are highly skilled in administering vaccinations, providing healthcare advice and reassuring patients – helping to answer any questions they may have about the MMR vaccine, and ensuring individuals make informed decisions about their health.

“The changes in healthcare delivery, technology and patient needs, means that the role of community pharmacists is evolving. We are increasingly becoming even more integral to the health of our communities – expanding what clinical services we offer and providing a greater focus on patient-centred care and public health initiatives aimed at promoting health and preventing disease. All with the aim of making it easier for people to stay healthy for longer.”

The pilot scheme is part of a national call and recall of under-vaccinated children and to help increase uptake MMR vaccines.

The pharmacy scheme follows on from phases one and two of the NHS MMR vaccine catch-up campaign targeting Greater Manchester, West Midlands and London – with these areas more at risk due to the number of people who are not up to date with their MMR vaccinations.

Measles is one of the world’s most infectious diseases with estimates showing that one infected adult or child can pass the disease onto around 15 other unvaccinated people. Catching measles can lead to life changing issues for adults and children, such as blindness, deafness and swelling of the brain (encephalitis) – those in certain groups, including babies, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity, are at increased risk of these complications. More information about measles, and its symptoms is available from the NHS website.

There is currently no medical treatment for measles; however, two doses of the MMR vaccine can give someone effective lifelong protection against becoming seriously unwell with the disease.

Dr Helen Wall, Clinical Director for Population Health at NHS Greater Manchester said:

“Measles is one of the most infectious diseases in the world and can cause serious harm to adults and children of all ages.

“Just two doses of the MMR vaccine can give life-long protection against becoming seriously unwell, so with cases of measles on the rise, it’s not worth the risk of going without this vital protection.

“Two doses of the MMR vaccine are needed for maximum life-long protection, with the first dose given around a person’s first birthday, and the second dose given at around three years and four months. However, anyone can catch up at any age on any missed doses and it’s never too late to protect yourself.

“It is especially important for those who are planning a pregnancy or who are postnatal to make sure they are fully vaccinated. As it is a live vaccine, MMR cannot be given during pregnancy and people should avoid getting pregnant for one month after having it, however following delivery the vaccine can be given at any time.

“We hope that people will make full use of this MMR vaccine pharmacy offer, as the aim is to make it easier than ever for anyone who may have missed receiving it to make sure they get it. For those aged 5 or over, there is no need to wait for a GP appointment, they can just walk into the nearest participating local pharmacy – but we do ask for people to be patient if there is a wait due to the pharmacist treating other patients.”

The full list of NHS Greater Manchester pharmacies participating in the MMR vaccination scheme can be found via the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership website.