Make sure children have both MMR jabs before starting school
Released: Tuesday 14 June, 2022

Parents and guardians in Wolverhampton are being asked to ensure their children are up to date with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, as latest data shows uptake across England has dropped to the lowest level in a decade.

The percentage of five-year-olds who have had both doses of the MMR vaccine in England is currently 86.3%, well below the World Health Organization’s target of 95% which it says is needed to achieve and sustain the elimination of measles. It also means around three in 20 children starting school are at risk of catching measles.

The virus is highly contagious, so even a small decline in MMR uptake can lead to a rise in cases. And, as international travel resumes, it is more likely that measles will be brought in from countries that have higher levels of the disease.

The MMR vaccine is known to give 99% protection against both measles and rubella. Children are offered two doses of the vaccine by their registered GP surgery, the first when they turn one and the second at around three years and four months, before they start nursery or school.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Measles is highly contagious; it can infect nine in 10 non-immune children – those who are either unvaccinated or have not been infected previously – and lead to complications such as ear and chest infections, fits, diarrhoea and dehydration.

“On what are thankfully rare occasions, it can cause long term disabilities or, tragically, even death.

“Starting nursery and school increases the risk of exposure to infectious diseases, and that’s why it is vital your children have their MMR vaccines as soon as they are eligible for them.

“Indeed, it is incredibly important that parents and carers ensure their child is up to date with all their routine vaccinations, not just MMR, as these vaccines give children crucial protection against serious and potentially deadly illnesses. They also help to stop outbreaks in the community.

“If you think your child has missed a vaccination, check their Red Book. If you don’t have the Red Book to hand, do not worry – simply contact your GP to check as soon as you can. You can ask for an appointment for their jab to be arranged so that you can make sure they have maximum protection against disease.”

Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, added: “The MMR vaccine offers the best protection from measles, mumps and rubella which is why we’re calling on parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with their two doses.

“Even a small drop in vaccine coverage can have a big impact on population immunity levels and lead to outbreaks. I would urge parents to check if their children are up to date with their MMR vaccines and if not to get them booked in as soon as they are able. It’s never too late to catch-up.”

For more details on the MMR vaccine, visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine/. If your child isn’t registered with a GP, you can find out how to do so at www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps.

ENDS

Your Councillors Mary, Rita and myself, often work together as a team. We try hard to ensure that we improve the environment and the lives of people who live and work here in our Ward of Wednesfield North.
Here is a brief round up of some of the actions we have taken recently with regards to issues that have been brought to our attention by constituents.
Graffiti smeared on the Memorial bench on the Ashmore Park Playing Fields. This has been reported for action. It goes without saying that if anyone knows who spray painted the bench, please inform the Police or any of your Councillors. It is an upset for many to see vandalism of this sort being targeted on Remembrance infrastructure.
We were requested to help speed things up! As we are trying to assist in getting the Easy Line Gym up and running at The Hub at Ashmore Park We are doing this by trying to assist them with two pieces of Gym Equipment that they have identified, as a requirement, and needs transporting. We got involved and I have now been informed that the supplier is arranging transport to deliver the equipment to The Hub at Ashmore Park. So it looks like this particular issue has been successful.
We have also been requested to assist where we can in helping volunteers who are raising funds to locate a defibrillator on the Linthouse estate. The organiser is a grand chap who with friends and neighbours are raising cash through sponsorship. We have pledged help in what sounds like a great project in saving lives.
I have been trying to assist a person with disabilities into the school of choice. I am pleased to say that parents have achieved their objectives, and a school place, in the school of their choice, has been filled. I am pleased to have assisted as the stress has been severe for the parent and the child.
There is a Care worker shortage locally, and I have recently received a request from a Care company to assist. I have passed the matter onto the City Council.
Since the start of the new Municipal Year in May 2022 – I have logged 92 enquiries from you the constituents.
There have been two Planning Applications validated in the Wednesfield North Ward in the last 28 Days.
They were in Shardlow Road where an application has been lodged for a detached two bed bungalow and Woodend Road where an application has been lodged for a Single storey rear extension.
Council Tax rebates in Wednesfield North stand at 3,631 Paid with a total value of £544,650. There is an overall take up Rate 73.7% meaning around 1290 eligible payments have yet to be granted.

Wednesfield win local derby with Darlaston and win the title.!
Then they displayed a poignant message ‘RIP Moggsy’ for a much liked former member of the Football Club! Great Win, and Much welcome Good News for our Village…

As we approach the close of the Municipal Year 2021-2022 and get ready for 2022-2023.

We have had a wide range of cases that we have been investigating for constituents.

They range from Licensing, Fly Tipping, Highways, Pest control, Dog Fouling, Fencing, Graffiti, Hedge Maintenance, Bins, Leisure issues, Litter, PublicTransport, Manhole covers, Anti Social Behaviour, Police, Parked Vehicles, Planning, Parking, Flooding. Traffic Regulations, Street Lighting, Adult Social Care, Children services. Pathways, Licensing, Revenues, School Parking, Abandoned vehicles, Dead Animals,CCTV, homes,Park Security, Public Health and much more!

We are not in an election period now. But, I can inform you that your three City Councillors have been dutiful and diligent in looking after the Ward.

We appreciate that we will not always win every case. But we do take up hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of cases each year.

We work very much as a team, that means we collaborate where we can on problems and solutions. We share information, and we often empower each other to investigate problem issues, then come together to press the City on the outcomes of our working together.

(Photograph shows a Planning Issue that was a major concern for residents. It was reported to City Councillors, and working practice was examined, and a close watch on its development continues)

During the course of the Local City Council Election 2022. Local Housing need was a major part of the debate with local people.
A vacant private property came up here in the Ward, when a resident complained about its long time being void. So here is the situation. We have at least two dwellings that are being treated by the City Council through the Legal processes here in Wednesfield North, to ensure that these homes are brought back into use.

The two long term empty and void private property’s, are in different neighbourhoods in Wednesfield North. Cabinet Resources Panel approved the acquisition of one of the the property’s “either voluntarily or by Compulsory Purchase on the 17/2/21.”

The other property is well down the legal road to change of ownership.

Resolving probate, unfortunately takes some time, there are legal processes to go through, and indeed some of the issues to be solved are very complicated.

These two dwelling’s are a very live issue locally, to their neighbours, and I hope that it will not be too long before the future of these property’s have been resolved.

I have been in touch with the City Council and will be receiving up dates on their progress. Which I will of course share.

What a good Night for Labour Councillor Mary Bateman winning her 3rd election for #WednesfieldNorth on Thursday night the 5th of May. However, it was Election Agent Geoff Foster (First on the left, in the photograph) who helped make this all possible again this Year.

Well done Geoff! The man on the left with the Big Smile….#LocalElection22 – 20 years an Agent!

Plus a real ‘Big Thanks’ to everyone else that played a part in Labour winning this seat. Thanks to the team of supporters that placed ‘Mary Bateman -Labour’ Posters and window bills in their windows.

Those that tramped the streets putting thousands of leaflets through the doors. Our friends who put up with us for being late everywhere! Thank you to everyone for being so helpful and understanding. Plus an even bigger ‘Thank You’ for the Voters who trusted in Mary and the Labour Party and who cast their Votes for Labour!

Hi Wednesfield North don’t leave that Postal Vote behind the clock, or on the Mantle, or in a pile of letters!
Today is the day to use it, fill it in, and post it back to the Civic Centre. Your vote may be the crucial one. Please don’t lose it – Vote today.