Measles guidance & MMR Vaccinations Service

Guidance for risk assessment, infection control and prevention

Since the beginning of 2025, we have seen an increasing number of confirmed measles cases across Greater Manchester, particularly in young children and babies. It is likely that further cases could present to local healthcare services over the coming weeks.

This leaflet provides more information for healthcare professionals about measles, including clinical symptoms, and what to do if a case is suspected.

Further national measles guidance is available here: NHS England » Measles guidance for primary, community care, emergency departments and hospital.

Considering these recent cases, it is important that all front-line staff remain alert to possible measles cases. Please also ensure that the following steps are taken:

1. Please ensure that appropriate triage and isolation procedures are in place in your healthcare setting so that those presenting with a fever and rash, or anyone reporting that they are a contact of someone with measles, can be isolated immediately to avoid exposing others.

2.  Please arrange urgent testing of suspected cases of measles at first contact. The leafletincludes guidance on how to take and submit a sample for measles PCR. Any suspected cases should be excluded from school, nursery, or work for 4 days after the onset of rash and advised to avoid contact with unvaccinated young children, susceptible pregnant women and people who are immunocompromised.
3.  Notify any suspected cases to the Greater Manchester Health Protection Team promptly by telephone on 0344 225 0562.This allows the team to undertake a risk assessment and take urgent action to protect any vulnerable contacts.
4.  All eligible staff should have a history of 2 x MMR vaccines or known measles immunity. In accordance with The Green Book (Chapter 12), healthcare workers involved in direct patient care should be immune to measles – both to protect themselves from infection, and to protect patients– particularly those who are unable/ too young to be vaccinated, or those at risk of more severe disease. Satisfactory evidence of protection would include documentation of having received two doses of MMR or having had positive antibody tests for measles.

You can access all of our measles and MMR resources for patients and health care professionals at our NHS GM campaigns resource centre: https://gmintegratedcare.org.uk/campaign_resource/resource/measles-posters-and-leaflets/

In order to support you, our team at CPGM has produced guidance summarising the measures to be taken in community pharmacy.

View and download the guidance document