Parents across North Wales are being urged to make sure their children are protected against potentially serious and preventable diseases.

Specialist community paediatrician Dr Sian Owen stressed the importance of attending appointments for vaccinations, and is reassuring parents it is safe to do so, even during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Owen’s call comes as Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board launches its new child vaccination campaign - Vaccinate Your Child on Time.

She said: “It is really important that parents and carers bring their children to vaccination appointments to make sure they have the best protection against a range of potentially serious diseases, such as measles.

“We know these are challenging and worrying times for people, but making sure children are up-to-date with their vaccinations will give them the best possible protection and help to stop the spread of preventable diseases.”

The campaign has received the support of radio presenter, Lois Cernyw, who will soon take her 12-month-old son Iago first his first MMR vaccine.

She said: “I feel it’s important to vaccinate my child, especially in the wake of Covid-19, which has highlighted for me how fragile our bodies can be when facing a virus or disease on this scale. I feel a responsibility to secure my child’s health to the best of my ability.”

Prior to Iago’s appointment, Lois visited Dr Owen to ask why the MMR vaccine is so important and for answers about some of the concerns she and other parents and carers may have.

You can watch Lois’s visit to speak to Dr Owen about the campaign below.

Dr Owen explained that strict infection prevention and control measures, including social distancing, are in place to protect parents, carers and their children, as well as the healthcare staff who administer the vaccinations.

If parents or carers have any questions or concerns, they are asked to call their GP Practice or Health Visitor to find out what particular precautions are in place before attending the vaccination appointment. For more information about vaccinations, visit https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/health-advice/immunisations/immunisations/mmr/