Barrow MP issues plea amid rising cases of measles

Cases of the disease are rising in England, which is why Mr Fell was reminding residents of the importance of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine.

The UK Health Security Agency has now declared a national incident following the rapid rise in the Midlands and has warned that outbreaks of measles will spread to other towns and cities unless action is taken to increase vaccination uptake.

Mr Fell said: "It is essential that everyone does their part to protect the local community by taking preventative measures such as measles jabs which can save lives.”

Appointments for missed vaccinations can be made via your GP surgery.

MMR is part of the NHS Routine Childhood Immunisation Programme – with one dose offered at one year and another second dose at 3 years 4 months.

Parents whose infants missed out, or anyone of any age who has not yet had a vaccine, are urged to come forward.

Professor Dame Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said: “Children who get measles can be very poorly and some will suffer life-changing complications - the best way for parents to protect their children from measles is the MMR vaccine.

"Two doses of the MMR vaccine give lifelong protection and it’s never too late to catch up."

Professor Harries reiterated the point that 'immediate action' is required to boost MMR uptake.

"We know from the pandemic that the communities themselves, and those providing services within them, will have the knowledge to best support local families to understand the risks of measles, to learn more about the vaccines that can protect them and to enable innovative vaccine delivery approaches.

"We need a long-term concerted effort to protect individuals and to prevent large measles outbreaks.”

Measles spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools.

Over 99% of those who have 2 doses of the MMR vaccine will be protected against measles and rubella.