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The MMR for you and your baby

Since vaccinations were introduced in the UK, diseases like smallpox, polio and tetanus that used to kill or disable millions of people are now very rare or gone completely. Other diseases like measles and diphtheria had been reduced by up to 99.9% since vaccines were introduced. If people stop being vaccinated against these diseases, they can spread again very quickly.

Cases of measles and mumps are being seen more commonly again now that fewer people are taking up the MMR vaccine, which is worrying because measles can kill.

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Page last reviewed: 24-10-2023

Next review due: 24-10-2026