Health agency issues vaccine catch-up reminder

Parents have been urged to prioritise vaccine catch-up appointments during the summer holidays

The UK Health Security Agency South West (UKHSA) has urged parents and carers to prioritise vaccine catch-up appointments during the summer break.

Since 1 January, there have been 674 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England, with 8.6%, amounting to 58 cases, in the South West, according to new figures.

The figures also showed that 90% of children in the region had received both doses of the MMR vaccine by the age of five.

Prof Dominic Mellon, regional deputy director for health protection at UKHSA South West, said: "Please act now to ensure your children are fully protected."

A total of 47 cases were found in Bristol but there have been no new cases in the city since May, according to the figures.

A child died at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital in July after contracting measles. The hospital said the highly contagious virus was on the rise among young people in the region.

The child is believed to be the second child in England to die in the past five years after contracting measles.

'Don't put it off'

Prof Mellon said: "The summer months offer parents an important opportunity to ensure their children's vaccinations are up to date, giving them the best possible protection when the new school term begins.

"It is never too late to catch up. Don't put it off and regret it later.

"Speaking as a health professional and a father, I strongly encourage all parents to ensure their children have the best possible protection by ensuring vaccinations are up to date."