Health

Measles and mumps return: Vaccine warnings reignite public anger

Published

11 months ago

April 29, 2025

A WARNING from Hywel Dda Health Board that measles and mumps are resurging in Wales has exposed deep divisions over vaccines, sparking an explosive reaction online.

In a statement released during World Immunization Week, the health board urged parents to ensure their children receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, describing it as the “best protection” against life-threatening complications such as meningitis, deafness, and even death.

“If 95% of children receive the MMR vaccine, measles could be wiped out completely,” the health board said. “However, outbreaks occur when vaccination rates drop below 90%.”

The reminder prompted hundreds of responses online, quickly descending into a battle between public health advocates and vaccine sceptics.

One mother, Rachel Beckett, shared a harrowing memory of suffering from mumps as a child: “I remember lying in agony on my mother’s bed while the sound of kids playing outside echoed in. I thought I was dying.”

Other commenters warned that many younger parents do not realise the dangers because vaccines have made serious complications rare in modern Britain. “Vaccines made these horrors a distant memory,” said one user.

However, vaccine sceptics questioned the motivations behind immunisation campaigns. Some suggested doctors receive financial incentives for administering vaccines. Official NHS documents show GP practices are paid a fee per jab administered, around £10, to cover service delivery – but health professionals point out that the payments fund surgery costs, not individual bonuses.

“GPs are not profiting personally from vaccinations,” wrote one commentator. “The payments are for providing services, not backhanders.”

The controversy also reignited the long-running debate over Andrew Wakefield’s discredited claims linking the MMR vaccine to autism. Although his research was found to be fraudulent and his medical licence revoked, misinformation continues to circulate.

Public health advocates were blunt in response. Gareth Pitt-Nash wrote: “Just google ‘Lancet MMR fraud’. It’s not a mystery why measles is coming back when people ignore science.”

Others warned that falling vaccination rates could result in a return to the dark days when measles, rubella, and mumps caused widespread childhood disability and death.

As of 2025, UK childhood vaccination rates for MMR remain below the World Health Organization’s recommended target of 95%, leaving communities vulnerable to outbreaks.

The health board urged families to check their vaccination records urgently, stating that catching up with missed vaccines could save lives.

The facts about the MMR vaccine

🔹 What is the MMR vaccine?
The MMR vaccine protects against three serious diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles).

🔹 How effective is it?
Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide about 99% protection against measles, 88% protection against mumps, and 97% protection against rubella.

🔹 When is it given?
Children are usually given their first dose at 12–13 months old, and a second dose at around 3 years and 4 months, before starting school.

🔹 Is it safe?
The MMR vaccine has been used safely for over 30 years. Millions of doses are given worldwide every year. Serious side effects are extremely rare. Mild side effects such as a sore arm or mild fever are common and temporary.

🔹 Why is high uptake important?
At least 95% of children need to be vaccinated to prevent outbreaks. If vaccination rates fall below 90%, diseases like measles can spread rapidly again.

🔹 What about the autism claim?
A study published in 1998 suggested a link between MMR and autism.
This study was found to be fraudulent, was retracted, and the author was struck off the medical register.
Extensive research since has found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

🔹 What are the risks of measles, mumps, and rubella?

Measles can cause meningitis, pneumonia, blindness, and death.

Mumps can cause deafness and swelling of the brain.

Rubella can cause serious birth defects if a pregnant woman catches it.

🔹 Where to find more information:
Visit Public Health Wales – MMR vaccine.

Readers react: Vaccines, health risks, and mistrust

A simple public health warning about rising measles and mumps cases ignited a fierce debate among local residents.

Some shared harrowing personal experiences:

“My daughter was like a rag doll for a week with measles. It was terrifying.” – Pat Greenhorn
“I had mumps so badly I couldn’t swallow without pain at three years old. Don’t put children through that.” – Rachel Beckett

Others defended vaccinations:

“Vaccines made these diseases rare. Now misinformation is undoing that progress.” – Jacqueline White
“Measles killed children. Rubella caused birth defects. Vaccines are not optional.” – Diana Salmon

However, some questioned the motives behind vaccine campaigns:

“GP practices get paid per vaccine given. It’s about money, not health.” – Melissa Jade
“Big pharma profits more from sick people than healthy ones.” – Cantalope Catalina

And others called for calm:

“GPs don’t pocket bonuses. Payments fund services, not personal profits.” – Katy Hocking

The underlying message from health professionals remains simple: without high vaccination rates, once-defeated diseases will return.

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service to host bi-monthly Board meeting

Published

1 day ago

March 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE is preparing to host its bi-monthly Board meeting – and the public are invited.

Join the meeting on Thursday 26 March via Microsoft Teams to hear senior leaders cover a full agenda, including approval of the Integrated Medium-Term Plan for 2026-29, which outlines what the organisation will prioritise and deliver, how it will use its resources and how it will continue to improve care for the people of Wales over the next three years.

Board members will approve the initial revenue budget for the year ahead and receive an update on current financial performance.

The Board will also hear from Mr Clarke from Cwmbran, who describes an experience of trying to access help via 999 for his late father who was terminally ill.

There will also be an opportunity to pose a question to the Board.

Chair Colin Dennis said: “Board meetings give you the opportunity to really get to know our ambulance service, with a clear view of how important decisions are shaped and the processes behind them.

“They also create a forum to hear directly about ongoing work, explore how we can strengthen support for the Trust’s staff and patients, and connect with the people responsible for shaping those decisions.”

Click here to watch the Board meeting on Thursday 26 March 2026 from 9.30am.

This link will be active from 10 minutes before the meeting starts.

To pre-submit a question, please email [email protected] by no later than Wednesday 25 March 2026.An agenda will be available on the Trust’s website in the days prior to the meeting.

Health

Pharmacies carry out record number of consultations for common health issues

Published

1 day ago

March 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PHARMACIES across Wales carried out more than 600,000 clinical consultations for a wide range of common health issues over the last twelve months, according to the latest community pharmacy services statistics.

Almost 346,000 people used the Common Ailments Service, which offers free advice and treatment for twenty-seven common conditions and is available in ninety-nine per cent of pharmacies across Wales.

Figures covering April 2024 to March 2025 show that more than 462,000 Common Ailments Service consultations took place during the period – the highest number ever recorded.

The most frequent reasons people sought help from their local pharmacy included sore throats, hay fever, conjunctivitis and dermatitis.

Pharmacies also carried out more than 53,000 consultations specifically for sore throat treatment, around 33,000 consultations for contraception advice and treatment, and over 121,000 consultations to provide emergency supplies of medicines.

During those emergency consultations pharmacists issued more than 189,000 prescription-only medicines to patients who had run out of medication and were unable to obtain a new prescription in time.

In addition to these consultations, pharmacies across Wales dispensed more than eighty million prescription items over the same twelve-month period.

The Common Ailments Service allows people to receive treatment closer to home while helping free up GP appointments for patients with more complex or urgent medical needs.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said: “Community pharmacies play a vital role in providing healthcare across Wales.

“Nearly half a million consultations in a single year shows just how much people value being able to walk into their local pharmacy and get the help they need quickly, without having to wait for a GP appointment.

“We are working to ensure more people can receive convenient care closer to home, and expanding access to these services is a key part of that.

“The right care, in the right place, at the right time — that is what people in Wales want, and what our pharmacies are delivering.”

Community

Lessons from COVID-19 highlight need to strengthen voluntary sector resilience

Published

1 day ago

March 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW report has urged the Welsh Government to work more closely with voluntary organisations to ensure communities are better prepared for future emergencies.

The call comes from the Senedd’s Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, which examined how lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic have shaped Wales’ current emergency planning.

The report highlights the crucial role played by voluntary groups during the pandemic, particularly in supporting vulnerable people and responding quickly to rising community needs.

Clair Swales, Chief Executive of the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO), welcomed the committee’s findings and its recommendation that government bodies strengthen collaboration with the voluntary sector and commissioning organisations.

The recommendation includes making greater use of long-term funding arrangements to support infrastructure investment and improve the sector’s ability to respond to sudden surges in demand during emergencies.

Giving evidence to the committee last November, Swales warned that continued financial pressures across the sector could weaken its ability to respond effectively in future crises.

She said: “If I was asked to bring the third sector together to respond to an emergency at this moment, I could. However, future involvement may become more challenging as the sector continues to face significant financial and capacity pressures.”

The committee’s report, published on Tuesday (Mar 11), explored how the Welsh Government and public bodies responded to the pandemic and what improvements have been made since.

It also considered findings from Module 1 of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, which examined resilience and preparedness across the UK.

Swales said the report recognises that the work carried out by voluntary organisations during the pandemic came at a significant cost to the sector.

She added: “Evidence from a number of voluntary organisations shows the sector is facing considerable funding and resource challenges.

“We will continue to work with commissioners and the Powys third sector to maximise opportunities, represent the sector’s voice in policy and investment discussions, and ensure rural communities are considered when funding and commissioning services.”