PARENTS in Bexley are being urged to arrange for their children to receive the MMR vaccine, following an outbreak of measles in the borough.
So far there have been five confirmed and 14 suspected cases of the highly infectious viral infection, which can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia.
Measles usually starts with a fever, sore eyes, runny nose, a cough and sometimes white spots in the mouth.
A rash appears five to seven days later and children are infectious for about four days before the rash appears and five days afterwards.
Dr Joanne Medhurst from Bexley Care Trust said: “As measles is circulating in the area, we are encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated.
“It is never too late to protect your child against measles.”
Children should have two doses of the MMR vaccine to be fully protected.
Parents and carers should contact their GP to arrange for vaccination.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here