THE threat of a measles outbreak in the county is again a “real concern” given the number of children not fully immunised.

Latest MMR uptake figures for the county show that one in ten children have not received their first MMR dose, while two in ten have not had their second dose.

MMR is the combined vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

Protection from all three require children need to receive the two doses.

The first injection is usually offered within a month of their first birthday while the second is normally before they start school, usually between three and five years of age.

Prof Rod Thomson, director of public health, said: ”Low MMR uptake is a real concern because measles can be a very serious infection.

"Parents should understand the risks associated with the infection, which in severe cases can result in death.”

Dr Arif Mahmood, public health consultant, said: ”To be fully protected, children need to receive both doses of the vaccine. With a significant number of children in Herefordshire not being fully immunised, the threat of an outbreak is a real concern.

”I would urge parents and carers to check their children’s vaccination records to make sure they are up to date or contact their GP who can advise them on how to make sure their children are fully protected.”

The current warning replicates that put out by health services in the county in April 2013.

Then, the fear was of a  measles outbreak on a significant scale within weeks.

With schools going back, GPs were writing to all at-risk families on their books.

Historically, MMR take up in the county has been low.

 At the time of the 2013 warning an estimated one in five children in the county were not fully immunised.

 For more go to www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/mmr-vaccine.aspx or the Public Health England website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england.