Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB
Parents and carers across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to check their child’s vaccination status and book their MMR vaccination (measles, mumps and rubella) to help protect against serious childhood illnesses.
The reminder follows the current measles outbreak in parts of London, which has highlighted how quickly the disease can spread when vaccination levels drop. Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, particularly for young children, babies and those with weakened immune systems.
84.4% of children in Nottinghamshire have received both doses of the MMR vaccine but in Nottingham this drops to 71.8%. This means that in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, 11,000 children aged 5 – 14 have never had an MMR vaccination and 6,000 have only had one dose.
Dr Dave Briggs, Executive Director of Outcomes (Medical) said: “The measles outbreak in parts of London is a reminder that these illnesses have not gone away. Safe, free and effective vaccines are available, and it is not too late for children to catch up if they have missed one or more doses.
“By ensuring children are fully vaccinated, families can help prevent the spread of disease and avoid unnecessary illness, school absence and hospital admissions.”
The MMR vaccine protects against three infectious diseases:
And children who are six years or younger (born on or after 01.01.2020) will also now be protected against:
Two doses of the vaccine give the best protection and help prevent outbreaks in schools and communities.
School-age vaccination catch‑up clinics – February 2026:
To make vaccination as easy as possible, school-age immunisation service catch‑up clinics are running across Nottinghamshire during half term this week. These clinics are open to children and young people who have missed routine vaccinations, including MMRV.
Parents can find clinic dates, locations and eligibility details on the Nottinghamshire County Council website.
Appointments are quick, and trained NHS staff are available to answer any questions parents may have.
Parents can also book their child’s MMRV vaccination through their GP practice. Children do not need to start the vaccine course again if doses were missed – they can pick up where they left off.
Parents who are unsure whether their child is up to date can check their Red Book (Personal Child Health Record) or speak to their GP or practice nurse.
For more information about childhood vaccinations and local services, visit the NHS website or contact your GP practice.
