'Understand the consequences' – mum's warning to parents who refuse to vaccinate their children against measles
Amber Middleton
Content writerParents Karl and Davina have shared the heartbreaking pictures of their 'innocent' baby son suffering with measles, in the hope it encourages other parents to vaccinate their children against the deadly infection
The parents of an 'innocent' baby who caught measles have begged ALL parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against the disease – so no-one else has to go through the same scary ordeal they did.
Karl and Davina Barrett's world was turned upside down when their newborn son went from being a 'happy, smiley baby' to lethargic and unresponsive when he was hospitalised with measles. They had to watch him fight for every breath, as they were isolated with him in hospital – even separated from their toddler son.
'Just understand the consequences,' mum Davina, 28, warned.
FREE NEWBORN NAPPIES
'It's not safe for children to be around other children when they're not vaccinated. Especially with Ezra, he had no chance.'
Dad Karl, 30, added: 'It was a very surreal, scary experience. It was horrible to see. He's so small, so innocent, and he's had this awful experience.'
- How to check if YOUR child is protected from measles
- The symptoms of measles all parents need to know
- 'Make 1 simple change and save £1k a year', urges Martin Lewis
- M&S launches £35 'on trend' jacket
- Tesco slashes price of 'must-have' dual control electric blanket
- Child Benefit change to ‘help single parents’
His breathing became more rapid
The couple's nightmare began when baby Ezra stated with a cough and cold when he was just 12 weeks old – during an outbreak of measles declared a 'national incident' – with cases soaring due to low uptake of the MMR jab.
'We weren't really concerned,' Davina, said, speaking to Netmums.
The whole family, including their eldest son Noah, 15 months, had all had coughs and colds over Christmas.
Ezra began moaning and groaning, and being a bit restless, but again, nothing too out of the ordinary – The Barretts wondered if maybe Ezra hadn't taken to the new formula they'd started giving him a few days before.
It was when he gained a rash on his face which spread down to his torso and his breathing became rapid, that they knew things weren't right.
'Very surreal, very scary experience'
'Straightaway, we said we've got to take him to A&E. As soon as we were there, his temperature was sky-high: 38 and a half,' Karl explained.
Right from the beginning, the couple were told it could be measles, prompting their immediate concern – this could be serious.
'He was put on a cannula straight away. He wasn't taking any feed, he was very lethargic,' Karl said. 'He's gone from being an active, smiley, happy to just not reacting to anything.
'Usually, he's quite a greedy boy but he wasn't taking his milk.'
Karl and Davina were told they were in for a long night where Ezra would be checked hourly. The three of them had to isolate in a room, away from other people. Even older brother, Noah wasn't allowed in the room and had to stay with his grandparents.
During this time, hospital staff had to wear masks and aprons and cover themself up to avoid risk of infection.
'It wasn't just a simple thing, they couldn't come in the room and just chat to you, Karl explained.
'it was a very surreal, very scary experience.'
'It was horrible to see – he's so small, so innocent'
Over the next few days, Ezra's rash spread all over his body, his back, he couldn't open his eyes.
The tests were 'constant', Karl said, from heel prick tests to check his blood to a lumbar puncture in case Ezra had meningitis.
Tests came back to reveal Ezra had Covid, pneumonia, measles, and a suspected chest infection. He was instantly put on oxygen.
'He kind of looked like an octopus because there was wires coming out of everywhere,' Karl said. 'It was horrible to see. He's so small, so innocent, and he's had this awful experience.'
'Usually a really happy baby'
For five days, Ezra wasn't responsive to any of the medication, which the couple said was really difficult.
Ezra was too young to be vaccinated against the disease, with the first MMR jabs given to babies at 12 months old.
Karl said: 'He's usually a really happy baby. He loves being with you, that kind of contact, being able to see you.'
The couple also were worried about any long-lasting effects Ezra might have from being poorly and so he was sent for x-rays to check his lungs.
Davina was also worried he could lose his sight as a result of the measles.
While Ezra was in hospital, Karl and Davina sat by his bedside, taking in turns to sleep there as only one could stay overnight at a time.
'It was really hard for us, we weren't sleeping properly, we weren't our usual selves,' Davina said. 'We couldn't have a shower. We weren't having proper meals.'
The stress saw Karl lose 5lb in weight.
'We were just watching every day to see whether he might be able to go home, Davina said.
Need advice?
Our health visitors and nursery nurses are online Monday to Friday evenings to answer your queries on feeding, sleep and child health.
'A concern for us now'
When they finally could go home, it didn't mean things could return to normal.
The family had to continue isolating for another seven days to avoid risk of spreading infection to others.
Even Noah wasn't allowed home.
Ezra gradually started to get back to his normal self when they returned home, and is now 'really happy, alert and smiling,' Davina said. 'He's developing as normal so we're really happy about how he's recovered.'
'Really confusing'
The family have missed the things they usually do together during the last few weeks. They couldn't take the boys out, Noah couldn't attend nursery classes, even simple things like going for a coffee, Karl explained.
'And it's not just the impact it has on Ezra. It's a thing for everyone. For Noah it's probably been really confusing,' Karl said.
Even now, the family are cautious of contact with others.
Karl said: 'We've always found that when you have children, everyone crowds around the pram, puts their face in your child's face. 'That's a concern for us now.
'We don't like that kind of thing. We don't want Ezra to pick anything else up.'
'Just understand the consequences'
The family still have no idea where Ezra picked up the infections.
'We didn't know anyone that had either measles or Covid,' Davina said.
'It was incredibly unlucky,' Karl added.
Both now emphasise the importance of making sure your child is given the MMR jab which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
Davina explained: 'It's not safe for children to be around other children when they're not vaccinated. Especially with Ezra, he had no chance.
'Just understand the consequences,' she said of parents who decide against the MMR jab.
National Incident declared
There's currently a huge increase in cases of measles across the country due to a low uptake of the MMR vaccine.
The current measles outbreak has now been declared a 'national incident' in England by the The UK Health Security Agency (UKHRSA)
There have been warnings for months about the likelihood of a measles outbreak. Last July, the UKHSA said there could be tens of thousands of measles cases in London alone, unless the number of children being vaccinated increased.
A national incident gives the UKHSA the power to put more resources into tackling the problem.
What is the MMR jab?
The MMR jab is a vaccination that provides lifelong protection against measles, mumps and rubella.
Since a vaccine was introduced in 1968, it is estimated that 20 million infections and 4,500 deaths have been prevented.
The MMR jab is offered for free on the NHS when your baby is 12 months old, with a top-up at three years and four months. However, you can get the jab at any age, if you haven't already received one – just speak to your GP.
The NHS is currently running a 'catch-up' campaign where the jab will be offered to people for free at pop-up clinics in schools across the country.
Receiving the MMR vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your children from measles, says the NHS.
What is measles?
Measles is an infection that can affect anyone, but is most common in children.
It starts as cold-like symptoms, with a rash later developing on the face and then spreading to the rest of the body.
Measles can be serious and even fatal for some people, including those who are pregnant – data from UKHSA found that 40% of children under five who test positive for measles require hospital care to treat it.
Why are parents refusing to give their children the MMR jab?
Netmums has spoken to health experts and investigated why the uptake is so low. You can read more about that here.
Related stories
Will I get fined for taking my kids out of school in term-time?
CHAT: Kids health in our forums
Mum's shock as 'healthy' son, 12, needs a life-saving heart transplant
