MMR jab alert

Parents are once again being urged to protect their children against measles and mumps to stop future outbreaks.

The Health Protection Agency renewed its plea to parents after 40 cases of measles and 276 cases of mumps were confirmed in the North-West in the first three months of the year.

Dr Rosemary McCann, the agency’s North West immunisation lead, said: “We’re still seeing a lot of measles and mumps in many parts of the region.

“The only way we’re going to eliminate these infections is by working with parents, schools, colleges and universities to encourage MMR uptake.

“Every child should be vaccinated at 13 months and given a booster before going to school. Thankfully, these uptake rates are continuing to rise, but we still have large numbers of older children and teenagers who missed out on vaccination at the appropriate age. That’s why we’re seeing so many cases of mumps in teenagers and young adults.”

Anyone up to the age of 18 who has not previously had two doses of MMR vaccine can arrange to have them through their doctor.