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.

A SERIES of reforms designed to strengthen NHS Wales are set to be introduced by the Welsh Government, following a major independent review.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles has accepted all 29 recommendations made by the Ministerial Advisory Group on NHS Performance and Productivity, which was established in October to assess the effectiveness of current NHS Wales arrangements.

The review, led by Sir David Sloman, focused on key areas including planned care, diagnostics, cancer performance, and urgent and emergency care. It also explored ways to boost productivity and performance, with an emphasis on better use of digital technology, data, and enhanced regional collaboration.

The report’s publication comes just weeks after the Health Secretary delivered a significant speech on leadership and accountability within the NHS. In that address, he outlined plans to cut long waiting times and reduce the overall size of NHS waiting lists during 2025–26.

The Ministerial Advisory Group’s report, published today alongside the Welsh Government’s official response, makes wide-ranging recommendations. These include measures to improve waiting list management, eliminate unwarranted variation in treatment, use national and regional plans to create sustainable services, and strengthen leadership across NHS Wales.

The Welsh Government has confirmed it will accept, either fully or in part, all 29 recommendations. Work is already underway to implement many of the proposed changes.

Speaking at an event in Cardiff today (Tuesday) to mark the report’s publication, Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said:

“The message in the report is very clear: we have a significant challenge in performance and productivity. The service is not performing at the levels we or the public expect.

That demands a step change in our approach, so we can improve the services the public receives, deliver better health outcomes, and ensure every pound spent brings the best possible value as demands on the health service continue to grow.

But the report is also optimistic. Time and again, it highlights the strengths we have in Wales — the commitment and skill of our staff, the solid strategies in place, and examples of good practice across the service.”

If the thought of giving blood turns on your red light with a vengeance,  spare a thought for the 5,000 people in the UK who are needing it every single day of the year. Yet despite this alarming statistic, only three per cent of the population are donors.

This week The Herald visited Pill Social Club in Milford Haven to meet up with local blood donors and members of the Welsh Blood Service to find out just how important giving blood  is.

“It’s wonderful to see people coming back to our centres, year upon year, continuing to give blood,” said Sharon Burgess, who is  the clinical lead for the Welsh Blood Service’s West team which stretches from Swansea to Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and northwards to Aberystwyth.

“We even have people in their 80’s who are continuing to give blood which is quite remarkable, but it’s also very encouraging to see an increasing number of younger people coming forward to donate.”

Rod Williams (pictured top left), who is himself an employee with the Welsh Blood Service, has now reached his 67th blood donation.

“But I’m still lagging behind my best man, whose donations are now up in the 80s,” he joked. #

“I gave my very first donation when I was a 19-year-old student because the standing joke at the time was that if you gave blood, then you’d get drunk that much quicker when you reached the pub.”

And four decades on, Rod continues to give blood on a regular basis.

Waiting in the blood-giving queue was husband and wife duo Chris and Sue Hirdle who have both been donating for the past 20 years.

“It all started with me being in the army, so I didn’t have any option and had to give blood,” explained Chris.  “But when Sue kept seeing me going off to donate, she decided to start giving blood too.  And we’ve both carried on ever since.

“It’s such an easy thing to do, and everyone here at the Pill Social Club is so friendly, plus we get tea and biscuits when it’s all over.”

Once donors have registered, they are asked to complete a detailed medical questionnaire before being screened by the Welsh Blood Service team.  

“This is merely to find out whether any illnesses or health conditions prevent them from giving blood, such as having had a stroke or a heart attack in the past or a previous blood donation,” explained Sharon Burgess.

They are also given a finger-prick haemoglobin test to assess their iron content.  Once the team is happy, the donors can then give their blood, which usually totals 475 ml.

People can start giving blood at 17 years of age; men are allowed to give blood four times a year while women can give three times a year.  In addition to blood, donors between the age of 17 and 30 can also join the bone marrow registry for stem cell matches.

“It really is fantastic to see people giving of their time and donating blood but when you consider the very small percentage of the British population that donate, it’s important that more people come forward, particularly younger people,” concluded Sharon.

“We’ve started going around sixth form schools and colleges, trying to raise awareness because the more people that understand the good that they’re doing with their donations, the better.”

Further blood donation sessions will be taking place  at The Pavilion, Haverfordwest on May 8, Letterston Village Hall, May 19, Pattern Hall, Pembroke Dock, May 23 and Canolfan Hermon, May 28.  It’s advisable to book an appointment beforehand via the Welsh Blood Service website on  welshblood.org.uk