Close to 300 cases of measles have been reported to City and Hackney Primary Care Trust over the last 5 months. It is thought that the outbreak is directly linked to increasing numbers of parents deciding against the MMR vaccination for their darlings in the light of the well publicised but now discredited research which linked it to autism.
With hundreds of spotty kids sickening in East London direct action is being taken by the PCT. They've sent the Immunisation Bus on tour!
The bus will be visiting schools and nurseries between now and 7 December offering vaccines to unprotected children and educating parents about the importance of immunisation.
The bus will be unmistakeable, emblazoned with the legend "Watch out! Measles about".
Although Hackney has reported more cases of measles than any other borough this is not just an East End problem and the Health Protection Agency urges all parents to ensure their children are properly protected against the dreaded spots. Failure to do so may see the special bus extending its tour of duty.
Image courtesy of Martin Deutsch's Flickrstream.
