The county council has urged parents to get their children vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella before the new school year.

Lancashire County Council said routine childhood immunisations are the safest and most effective way of protecting children against preventable diseases.

Children must be up to date with all their routine vaccinations before they start school, as, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a significant drop in the number of children getting MMR jabs and other childhood vaccines.

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County Councillor Michael Green is the cabinet member for health and well-being at Lancashire County Council.

Green said: “It is important that all parents and guardians ensure their child is up to date with their routine vaccinations, including MMR, so they remain fully protected against infections and viruses.

“If they are not up to date, contact your GP to book an appointment as soon as possible.

“The vaccines are safe and will ensure your child and their friends have maximum protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

“If your child has missed one or more doses, please just take them for their vaccinations as soon as possible.”

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If they do not get their MMR vaccines, they are more exposed to becoming seriously ill.

Children can receive two doses of the MMR vaccine from their GP, the first when they turn one and the second at around three years, four months before they start nursery or school.

Earlier this year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed that more than 1 in 10 children under the age of 5 remain not fully protected from measles, the lowest levels in a decade.

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Measles is highly contagious – and can be fatal – so even a small decline in MMR uptake can lead to a rise in cases.

Parents who are unsure if their child is up to date with all their routine vaccinations should check their child’s Red Book (personal child health record) in the first instance.

Those who are unsure should contact their GP to check and book an appointment.

For more information, visit – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine

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