A guide to measles for visitors to Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs)
Updated 7 June 2024
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-in-prison-vaccination-and-infection-control-for-staff-and-prisoners/a-guide-to-measles-for-visitors-to-immigration-removal-centres-ircs
Measles
Measles is circulating, it’s very infectious and can make you very ill if you catch it. It’s especially serious if you are pregnant, have a weak immune system or for children under one year of age.
The number of people catching measles has risen. It’s never too late to be vaccinated.
You need 2 doses of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine to be fully protected against measles, mumps and rubella.
If you are worried about you or your child’s symptoms, please call NHS 111 or your GP practice.
Symptoms
Measles symptoms include:
- a high temperature
- a runny or blocked nose
- sneezing
- a cough
- red, sore, watery eyes
- a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms
If you think you have measles, you should try to call your GP or NHS 111 before visiting them in person. This is to avoid spreading measles to others.
Further information
For more information contact your local GP practice or visit MMR vaccine on NHS.UK.
The MMR for all: general leaflet is available to download or free to order. This leaflet is available in various languages.
Download print copies
This guide is available as a PDF to download and print.