Fears over MMR jab behind rise in measles

THE incidence of measles continues to rise, figures show today.

Data from the Health Protection Agency showed there were 1,217 cases from January to November last year in England and Wales, up from the 990 cases reported in the whole of 2007.

Dr Mary Ramsay, an immunisation expert, said: "We are still experiencing an unprecedented increase in measles across England and Wales."

About 65 per cent of cases were in children under the age of 15.

Dr Ramsay blamed the rise on the slump in the number of children who receive the measles, mumps and rubella jab because of fears about its safety. She added: "There are now a large number of children who are not fully protected with MMR.

"This means that measles, which is highly infectious, is spreading easily among these unvaccinated children.

"We are glad to see that public confidence in the MMR vaccine is now high But we shouldn't forget that the children who weren't vaccinated many years ago are at real risk."