**Mother’s Plea After Losing Daughter to Measles Highlights Declining Vaccine Rates**
A Salford mother bereaved by the devastating effects of a preventable disease has issued a heartfelt plea to parents across the UK. Rebecca Archer, whose daughter Renae succumbed to a rare brain condition triggered by measles, is urging families to ensure their children receive their scheduled vaccinations.
Rebecca’s appeal comes in the wake of renewed concerns over falling immunisation rates and follows the tragic news of a child’s death from measles in Liverpool, further underscoring the dangers of vaccine hesitancy. Medical professionals warn that measles is not merely a childhood inconvenience but can carry life-altering and sometimes fatal consequences.
Renae, aged ten at the time of her death, was diagnosed with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) – a progressive and incurable neurological disease. The illness, which is directly linked to previous infection with the measles virus, causes gradual and irreversible damage to the central nervous system. Renae’s trouble began as a baby, when she contracted measles at five months old. At that age, she was too young to receive the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) jab, leaving her vulnerable to infection.
Reflecting on her daughter’s story, Rebecca expressed enduring pain but also a steadfast determination to prevent the same fate befalling other families. “At the time, Renae was simply too young for the MMR vaccination,” she explained, “but if more children had been vaccinated, the virus wouldn’t have spread so readily. It might have saved her life.” She described the enduring disbelief over her loss, noting, “It still feels like a nightmare, thinking that a measles infection from ten years before was at the root of it all.”
Renae initially recovered from her brief illness as a baby – a period Rebecca remembers as unremarkable once Renae regained her health. Yet, almost a decade later, Renae began experiencing seizures at school. Medical investigations revealed brain swelling, but the full extent of her condition only became apparent after further deterioration. As her ability to speak and eat disappeared, the true cause emerged: SSPE triggered by her long-past measles infection. Rebecca recalls the moment doctors told her the condition was fatal, leading, in September last year, to a decision no parent ever wishes to face – to withdraw life support.
Dr Manisha Kumar, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Greater Manchester, has backed Rebecca’s efforts to raise awareness. Dr Kumar said, “Rebecca’s experience is a stark reminder of why we cannot be complacent about childhood vaccinations. The decline in vaccine uptake seen in recent years puts not only individual children but entire communities at risk.” She added that public health campaigners are working to ensure parents remain vigilant, including checking that their children have received all recommended immunisations.
The ongoing campaign stresses the importance of receiving both doses of the MMR vaccine, which provides lifelong protection against measles, mumps, and rubella. Harmful myths and misinformation about vaccine safety have contributed to a fall in coverage, resulting in outbreaks across Europe and a worrying return of diseases once thought largely eliminated.
Rebecca’s plea is a stark but necessary warning. “If sharing my daughter’s story saves even one life, then her memory will live on,” she said. Health officials across the UK are hopeful that by amplifying voices like Rebecca’s, more parents will ensure their children are protected.
While medical advancements mean measles is no longer an everyday fear, this tragic story makes clear that it remains a threat where communities become complacent. The message from both health authorities and grieving families alike is unequivocal: vaccines save lives. It is crucial for parents to check their child’s vaccination status and make up for any missed appointments as soon as possible.
For information on childhood vaccines or to book overdue immunisations, parents are advised to contact their local GP surgery or visit the NHS website. The hope is that stories like Renae’s will prompt meaningful action, preventing needless suffering for families in the future.