The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7319 p456
2 October 2004

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News summary

Spring mumps figures show rise in cases

During the period April–June 2004, 1,352 cases of mumps were reported, the highest quarterly total since surveillance began in 1995.

Natasha Crowcroft, from the Health Protection Agency, says that more than 70 per cent of cases occurred in older children and young people who are too old to have been offered the MMR vaccine routinely.

Only a small proportion of this group will have received a second dose of MMR. A second dose of MMR is important in securing good levels of protection, she adds.

The agency recommends that the vaccine should be offered to those aged between 14 and 22 years, who have either not received the MMR vaccine or who have had only one dose.