As you are probably aware, there is a national outbreak of mumps in Wales and the rest of the UK. The age group most at risk are those aged 11 – 25 years, in particular those aged 17 – 20 years.

The NHS recommends that all people who are aged between 16 years and 25 years (born between Ist January 1980 and 1st Sept 1989 and) and who are not in school or college should be offered at least one dose of MMR vaccine to protect them against mumps as well as measles and rubella (German measles). Other young people aged between 11 - 25 years of age who attend school, college or university will be offered MMR there.

• Mumps is usually an unpleasant but mild infectious disease, but with rare complications. The symptoms of mumps are feeling generally unwell, a fever, and pain and swelling of one or both saliva glands between the ear and neck.

• Most cases of mumps get better in 7 – 10 days. The illness appears 2 – 4 weeks after being in contact with an infectious case of mumps. Cases are infectious from a few days before, to around 5 days after, the swelling appears.

• Young people aged between 11 and 25 may only have had one dose of MMR vaccine or may not have had any and this is why we are seeing a large increase in the cases of mumps in this area.

• The only effective way to prevent mumps (or measles and rubella) is to have MMR vaccination. If you are not sure if you have had MMR, more doses won’t harm you. MMR is a safe and effective vaccine.

• MMR vaccine may cause a mild fever and a rash about a week after immunisation, and 1 in 100 have swelling of saliva glands between the ear and neck about three weeks after MMR.

• As a precaution women should avoid getting pregnant for one month after having MMR.

If you are not in school, college or university and have not received MMR vaccine previously, and wish to reduce the risk of catching mumps (or measles or rubella), please telephone the surgery to book an appointment to attend a vaccination session with the practice nurse. MMR vaccine is still required even if you have had mumps infection or MR vaccine (Measles/Rubella) in the past. If you are unsure, having a second dose of MMR vaccine is not harmful and will increase your immunity.

If you have any concerns or any questions, please discuss these with the practice nurse or your GP.