Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus, which is spread when the infected person coughs or sneezes. It still causes much distress to children and their families in our community. Many people don't realise how serious the disease is.
A child who catches measles can become very ill. Complications of measles such as middle ear infection and pneumonia are common. Measles infection can sometimes lead to encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain that can leave permanent brain damage or kill the child.
If you are unsure about vaccinating your child against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), you can now access a decision aid tool with information about each disease, the risks and benefits of vaccination, as well as instructions on how to compare the risks. It has been created by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) in Sydney.
Visit http://www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au/decisionaid/index.html
