A NEW drive has been launched encouraging families across the district to get their children vaccinated against measles and other potentially-deadly illnesses.

The initiative is part of a national campaign designed to combat a slump in vaccination rates, which are at a ten-year low.

As uptake has dropped, cases of highly contagious infections like measles have increased – with several reported in the Bradford district so far this year.

In December, the UK Health Security Agency declared a national incident in response to the rise in measles cases in England.

As part of the new campaign, parents and guardians of children aged up to five who have missed a vaccine will be urged to come forward.

And school immunisation teams are contacting parents in areas of the district where take-up of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is lowest.

Latest data shows that just 83.6 per cent of five-year-olds in the district have had two doses of the vaccine. The target rate is 95 per cent.

Several special clinics will run from schools in the district until the middle of next month.

The NHS says that across the country, childhood vaccination programmes prevent around 5,000 deaths and over 100,000 hospital admissions each year – and save the health service hundreds of millions of pounds.

It adds that in addition to MMR, the vaccinations have ensured that diseases such as polio and diphtheria have been practically eradicated in the UK.

Sarah Muckle, Bradford Council’s director of public health, says: "Childhood immunisation has been one of the major health successes in the UK, preventing thousands of deaths.

"We’ve seen recently that childhood diseases are on the increase again so it’s vital that parents and carers protect their children. We’re urging them to make sure their child is up-to-date with their vaccines.

"MMR is a very effective vaccine that has been used for many years and once you have had your first and second jabs you don’t need further ones. It is available for free from the NHS to any individual regardless of age.

"The advice for parents who think their child has measles or has been in contact with a confirmed case of measles is to stay at home and call your GP surgery, or 111 if out of hours.

"Do not visit the GP surgery or hospital – call ahead so measures can be put in place for your arrival."