ALL babies aged under a year must be vaccinated against measles if they are to travel within the European Union following an outbreak in infants that has been particularly widespread in the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Greece and Romania.
Normally in Spain, babies are given the so-called 'triple virus' vaccination – against measles, mumps and rubella – when they are exactly 12 months old, but Dr Francisco José Álvarez, secretary of the Vaccination Advisory Committee, part of the Spanish Paediatric Association (AEP), says parents planning to travel should do so earlier.
“Right now in Europe, we have a terrible measles epidemic which is affecting countries that tend to be popular destination countries for Spaniards going on family holidays,” Dr Álvarez explains.
The areas in question are also likely to be among common countries of origin of European expatriates living in Spain, who may wish to travel to see their families with their babies.
“If it is strictly necessary to travel to these countries with infants of under a year old but at least six months old, we recommend bringing the 'triple virus' vaccination forward,” Dr Álvarez says.
“But remember that it cannot be given until the infants are six months old.”
Many children get through the typical 'childhood diseases' with few problems, but in infants and toddlers, as well as in adults – especially the elderly and pregnant women – they can be very serious and even fatal, or at least leave behind permanent sequelae.
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