More than a quarter of a century after contracting measles, Stephanie Peters tragically passed away from the disease at the age of 27. The measles infection had left her blind, unable to walk, talk, or feed herself. Now, her mother, Gail, is urging parents to vaccinate their children, sharing Stephanie’s story as a cautionary tale.

Measles, one of the most contagious diseases globally, claimed Stephanie’s life despite her initial recovery from the illness as a child. Her mother’s plea comes at a time when the uptake of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is at its lowest in over a decade, with a significant outbreak reported in the West Midlands, the most substantial since the 1990s.

Gail, now 62, emphasizes the severity of measles, stating, ‘This is not just a harmless childhood illness. Measles killed my daughter. If we could have prevented her from getting measles, it would have saved her life.’ She urges parents to consider vaccinating their children, highlighting the potential to save lives and prevent the spread of the disease.

Stephanie’s encounter with measles occurred in 1985 when she was just nine months old, too young to receive the first MMR dose typically administered at age one. Despite initially experiencing a mild case with symptoms such as a rash, runny nose, and loss of appetite, the disease took a devastating turn years later, ultimately claiming her life.

Dr. Philippa Kaye, a medical expert, echoes Gail’s sentiments, encouraging parents to prioritize vaccinating their children amid the surge in measles infections. Stephanie’s tragic story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of vaccination in preventing the potentially fatal consequences of measles.