GP's in Rutland are urging parents to get their kids vaccinated
This World Immunisation Week, parents in the county are being encouraged to make sure their children are up to date with their jabs.
NHS vaccination teams across Rutland and Leicestershire are urging families to get their children up to date with vaccines for common childhood illnesses.
They say its vital kids come to get their jabs during World Immunisation Week, with less than 80% of children in Leicester having received both MMR vaccines by the age of 5.
One in ten children in England aren't up to date with their measles, mumps and rubella vaccine by the they're their ready to start school.
Child vaccination routines were disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The World Health Organisation have predicted a rise in measles cases across Europe in 2023, which is why they say its more important than ever that children get vaccinated.
Dr Fahreen Dhanji is the clinical lead for immunisations in Rutland. She's said “Measles can make a child seriously unwell and can lead to pneumonia, with rare long-lasting conditions such as blindness and brain damage."
"To become fully protected, children need two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first when they turn one year old and the second at 3 years 4 months."
The immunisation programme's been designed to provide early protection against vaccine-preventable infections from the age of 8 weeks old.
Parents whose kids have missed their first or second dose of the MMR vaccine are being encouraged to contact their GP.
You can also check to see whether your child's up to date with their vaccinations via their Red Book or by speaking to their doctor.