ALMOST 7,000 children in Batley, Dewsbury, Spen and surrounding areas of north Kirklees are still at risk of catching one of the most infectious diseases known – measles, health chiefs have warned.
They are not protected against the potentially fatal disease because they have not had the recommended measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The previous success of the MMR vaccination programme reduced the number of measles cases to very low
levels for a number of years.
But after a decade of relatively low vaccine uptake the number of measles cases is rising and outbreaks are occurring, say local health experts.
There is now a real risk of a large measles epidemic nationally.
With a high number of unprotected children exposed to the measles virus that could see between 30,000 and 100,000 children suffering from the potentially very serious disease.
In some parts of north Kirklees MMR vaccine uptake rates are below the national average.
Children's community matron in Kirklees Ann Brady said: "We really want to get through to people how important it is for children to be protected.
"There have been outbreaks of measles in Dewsbury and other areas recently and cases of mumps are also on the increase again."
"We're looking at the possibility of using additional locations to give this vaccine. It could be nurseries or children centres – places where parents already take their children so they don't have to make an extra journey.
"In exceptional cases where, for medical reasons, the MMR is not suitable for a child, this would be explained by the family's GP. Otherwise we urge all families to protect their children and take up the vaccine.
"There is no upper age limit and, for those who are still concerned, it is absolutely clear – there is no link between the vaccine and autism."
Between 1992 and 2006, there were no deaths from measles in this country due to the impact of vaccination.
There was one death in 2006 and another in 2008 from the disease.
