An 11-month-old boy caught measles before his first vaccine – is your child up to date with their doses?
A mother is issuing a warning to parents after her son suffered terrifying seizures due to the measles virus. Sophie Dale, 27, from Chesham, Buckinghamshire, was initially hesitant to vaccinate her son Levi due to misinformation she saw on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, falsely linking the MMR jab to autism. Despite her concerns, she booked Levi in for his first dose of the vaccine. Unfortunately, he contracted measles just days before his appointment in November 2018.
Levi’s condition quickly worsened as he began violently shaking at home. He spent six days in the hospital fighting for his life after developing a severe case of sepsis resulting from the measles. Sophie vividly recalls the traumatic experience, with her mother calling her in a panic while she was at a local supermarket. She rushed home to find her son’s temperature dangerously high.
Upon arriving at the hospital, a medical team swiftly took Levi away, leaving Sophie petrified. She described the scene as something out of a television medical drama, saying, It was so scary — I remember thinking ‘this is what you see on 24 Hours in A&E.’ I couldn’t watch, but I could hear his screams.
Last year, Europe witnessed an alarming 4,300% increase in measles cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). A staggering total of 42,200 cases were reported in 2023, a significant rise from the 941 cases recorded in 2022. Tragically, nine children lost their lives to the disease. In the West Midlands alone, UK figures indicate 216 confirmed cases and a further 103 probable cases since October last year.
Health officials are now urging parents to ensure their children are up to date with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children are typically offered their first dose at one year old and their second dose at three years and four months, shortly before they start school. However, it is possible to catch up on missed doses at any time through a local GP surgery.
The measles virus can have severe long-term consequences, including lifelong disabilities and death, particularly when a child is unvaccinated. The virus can affect the lungs and brain, leading to pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, and seizures.
Levi displayed symptoms of a high temperature and a rash before being hospitalized due to measles. His condition took a sudden turn for the worse while Sophie was out shopping for ingredients for his first birthday cake. She received a phone call informing her that Levi needed to go to the hospital immediately.
Witnessing her previously vibrant and happy son in such a critical state was especially heart-wrenching for Sophie. She shares, He couldn’t understand why his mum was allowing them to prod and poke him — even though they were saving his life, I just wanted to ask them to stop hurting him.
After a six-day stay at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, Levi was finally allowed to go home. However, he required a year of follow-up check-ups to assess potential damage to his hearing or vision as a result of the sepsis.
Recalling the ordeal, Sophie admits that she didn’t initially grasp the severity of the situation. According to medical professionals, the measles had nearly destroyed Levi’s immune system, leading to sepsis while he fought the virus. Sophie acknowledges that making the decision to vaccinate her children was difficult, but she recognized its importance.
Now an advocate for vaccination, Sophie finds it frustrating to see parents choosing to forgo immunizations for their children. Having witnessed the devastating impact of measles on her own son, she believes that misinformation plays a significant role in vaccine hesitancy. Sophie encourages parents to thoroughly research and make informed decisions about vaccinating their children, urging them to consult medical professionals and ask questions to address their concerns.
The heart-wrenching experience with Levi’s illness has left a lasting impact on Sophie’s perspective, driving her to share her story in the hope of raising awareness about the importance of vaccinations. As she reflects on her journey, Sophie concludes, If you’re nervous and scared about vaccinating, it’s so easy just to say you won’t do it. But do your research and make an educated decision — ask the doctors questions and talk it through with people.
The consequences of not vaccinating against measles are not worth the risks, and stories like Levi’s serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting children from this highly contagious disease.
