Jab warning as measles epidemic spreads

An MMR jab is administered (Getty Images)

A measles epidemic posing increased risk to children shows no sign of ending after a 25 per cent jump in new cases reported over the Easter break.

An urgent appeal for parents to ensure their children have the vital MMR jab has been renewed as the number of confirmed cases hit 541 yesterday. Health experts said 109 new cases were reported in the last week and warned again the contagious virus is a potential killer.

The measles epidemic centred on Swansea in south Wales has underlined the need for children to have vital protection. But there is increasing concern that pleas for thousands of unvaccinated children to get the MMR jab are not being acted on.

Public Health Wales warned before Easter that measles was spreading “at an alarming rate”. It is concerned that take-up of the vital vaccination is far too slow, putting lives at risk at the height of an epidemic.

Dr Marion Lyons, the organisation’s director of health protection, has repeatedly warned that measles can leave unprotected children brain-damaged or dead.

She warned today: “Unfortunately some parents are continuing to put their children at unnecessary risk of catching this potentially serious disease. They need to get their children vaccinated without delay.”

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