The MMR vaccine and the measles crisis in Wales

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It's the vaccine that has time and time again found itself in the centre of controversy. Ever since Andrew Wakefield led a study which linked autism to the MMR vaccine, parents have agonised over whether to permit children to have it. But despite many years of anxiety, uptake of the vaccine used to fight measles, mumps and rubella have recovered to an extent.

But what exactly is the MMR vaccine? The vaccine is composed of live measles, mumps and rubella viruses, but they aren't as potent as normal versions. When injected, it will provoke the body's immune system to produce antibodies. Their purpose is to fight infection by making bacteria and viruses much less harmful by recognising a special part of the bacterial or viral target called an antigen. Both the antigen and the antibody bind together which stops the bacteria or virus from causing harm.

The overall purpose of the vaccine is to ensure that any human being who is vaccinated, who happens to catch either one of the three types of virus then their immune system, will combat the viral infection.

Although many studies have dismissed any link between autism and the MMR vaccine, side effects can still occur and can include mild forms of measles. Signs of this include a rash, appetite loss and fever. This can last between 48 and 72 hours and can normally take place between 7 and 11 days after the injection, according to NHS Choices.

But the risks of those side effects are outweighed by the benefits of being vaccinated as being infected by either of the three viruses without the vaccination can be more severe. Measles can be fatal. According to the World Health Organisation, 158,000 died worldwide as a result of measles in 2011.

So why has a major crisis unfolded in Swansea and it's surrounding areas this weekend? So far, according to BBC News, just under 600 people so far have been affected by measles in many parts of Wales which has provoked a dramatic increase in the demand for the uptake of the MMR vaccine. And so far, 1,700 people have been vaccinated during emergency clinics held across hospitals in the south of Wales today. There is still a potential possibility that those figures could escalate even further in the coming days.

And could similar events break out north of the border? STV News reported on a measles outbreak that happened in Lanarkshire last November where nine cases of measles were confirmed, despite a very high uptake of the MMR vaccine.

Currently, there is no imminent threat of any form of an outbreak in Scotland. But there is certainly no room for complacency and events in Wales will, without a doubt, continue to be monitored very closely across these islands.