Call for Torbay children to get MMR vaccine

Parents in Torbay are being urged to get their children vaccinated against measles.

The health authority says 89% of two year olds in the Devon resort have had the MMR jab.

It is thought 95% of the population needs to have the vaccine to prevent outbreaks of measles, mumps or rubella.

Dr Sarah Harrison of Torbay Care Trust believes a measles outbreak is likely if vaccination levels do not improve, adding that "we've been lucky so far".

The consultant in public health said: "We have had some cases of measles.

"Sometimes they have come from an area where there is more measles and sometimes it is not clear where it has come from, but we have been very lucky it has not spread."