Local authority leaders have issued an urgent call to parents asking them to ensure that their children have had both doses of the MMR vaccine.
The call from the Local Government Association (LGA) has come in light of a rise in the number of cases of measles and a large outbreak of the infection in the West Midlands.
Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board said: ‘Vaccination provides the best protection for your children, and it is not too late to come forward. We strongly encourage parents and carers to check their children are up to date with their MMR vaccinations.’
Amanda Healy, Health Protection Lead for the Association of Directors of Public Health said: ‘Sadly, the current outbreak of measles is not surprising given the low take up of the MMR vaccine over recent years as it spreads easily between people who have not been vaccinated.
‘Measles can be a very serious illness but getting vaccinated is safe, free of charge and offers the best protection.’
