Poster (b&w), 'Measles is Misery', measles vaccination, headshot of young girl with measles. One of 800 health education posters produced for the Central Council for Health Education (1927-69), Health Education Council (1969-87) and Health Education Authority (1987-2000).

Measles is an infectious virus which spreads through direct contact with an infected person or by droplets from their coughs and sneezes. It is an example of the Second World War motto ‘Coughs and sneezes spread diseases!’. Commonly affecting children between the ages of one and four, measles causes a fever, coughing and a distinctive red rash. It can also kill. Once recovered, a person has life-long immunity from the disease. Measles vaccination was introduced in the United Kingdom in 1968.