A pharmacist in Salford has expressed concern over an alarming spike in measles cases across the city, and is appealing to parents to vaccinate their children.
Measles, a highly infectious and potentially deadly airborne virus, is on the rise in Salford with 42 new cases recorded since the start of 2025. Children are the most at-risk group to the disease, especially those with a weakened immune system or poor diet, and teens and young adults.
The best way to prevent this disease is by having the MMR vaccine, which is offered to children at a young age.
Doctors have pinned the rise in this disease on a lack of vaccinations in young children, as the number of people getting their children vaccinated has fallen over the past decade.
Arslan Ashfaq, a trainee pharmacist in Salford, explained how important the MMR vaccine is helpful to stop the spread of measles saying that the vaccine is the only thing that can help to prevent this infectious disease.
He said: “I would suggest you get your child vaccinated. If you have any questions you can reach out to your doctors because they can provide you the best advice and help beat this disease.”
The public have also voiced their concerns about the spread of measles in the area, with many urging people to get the vaccine to help the community.
One shopper said: “I do think it’s really dangerous, but it’s really important to get vaccinated.”
In recent years, the number of children vaccinated against measles has fallen, according to the UK Health Security Agency. Uptake for the first dose of the MMR vaccine – which protects against measles, mumps and rubella – in children aged 2 years in England is 89% and uptake of 2 MMR doses in children aged 5 years is 85%. This is well below the 95% target set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which is necessary to achieve and maintain elimination.
To prevent the spread of measles, the MMR vaccine is being offered at many GP and health centres across Salford and the Greater Manchester area.
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