PARENTS who do not allow their children to have the MMR jab risk spreading measles says a health chief.

Dr Richard Harling, director of public health for Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, is committed to increasing the number of children who get immunised against measles, mumps and rubella.

Dr Harling describes measles is a “serious disease” that was once feared.

Measles killed 250,000 worldwide in 2006 according to the World Health Organisation.

In Worcestershire 88 per cent of children have the first dose at two years old and 80 per cent at five have the second booster dose.

Although this is above the national average which is 84 per cent for the first dose and 76 per cent for the second, Dr Harling says more needs to be done.

At least 95 per cent of the county’s children should have both jabs to prevent the spread of measles which is highly infectious.

He said: “It’s good but it’s not good enough. Parents who do not get their children immunised risk the health of their own children and other children.

“There is no scientific evidence to justify claims of a risk of autism. No link has been found and such studies have been debunked.”

Uptake rates vary across the country but are particularly low in London and the Department of Health is making extra doses available and pledging more cash to help the NHS vaccinate youngsters.

Lead author Dr Andrew Wakefield is currently appearing before the General Medical Council on charges relating to research published in the medical journal The Lancet which suggested a link between the MMR jab and autism and bowel disease.

Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson has written to all Primary Care Trusts asking them to help cut the risk of a measles epidemic.

Across the country the number of measles cases is on the rise. There were 1,726 cases in England and Wales in 2006 and 2007, more than the previous decade put together when there were 1,621 cases (1996-2005).

For more information visit immunisation.nhs.uk