'Some parents mistakenly think that measles isn't serious or vaccination isn't urgent, but it is very serious and can be extremely contagious'

CITY HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST MMR JAB RATES IN THE UK

- By RUCSANDRA MOLDOVEANU

THE uptake for the MMR vaccine in Nottingham is among the lowest in the UK - leading to an urgent warning to city parents.

The city is the second lowest in the country for the measles, mumps and rubella jab, coming after Liverpool and excluding London boroughs.

The figures were revealed after a child died at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after catching measles. Only 74% of five-year-olds in Nottingham and 86.7% in Nottinghamshire have received both doses of the MMR vaccine, compared to 73.4% in Liverpool.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), at least 95% of children should be fully vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, stopping illnesses from spreading.

Cumbria came closest, with 94.8% of children receiving both jabs.

At the other end of the spectrum is the London Borough of Hackney, with just 60.8%. National figures show that 83.9% of children have received both doses - the lowest number since 2009/10.

A total of 529 laboratory confirmed measles cases have been reported in England since the start of the year, according to latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSa).

Dr Suzi McFall, public health consultant for the East Midlands at NHS England, has now issued an urgent warning for parents to get their children vaccinated.

WHAT IS THE MMR VACCINE?

The vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella, which can spread very easily and can lead to complications such as blindness, meningitis and hearing loss. Two doses are required for long-term protection.

Although these are routinely offered at one and three years and four months old, older children and adults can also get vaccinated if they initially missed their jab.

WHY ARE CHILDREN NOT GETTING VACCINATED?