Health bosses "really concerned" over new measles cases in Leeds kids
There's been a rise in the virus in our region recently
Health bosses say they're really worried not enough kids are getting vaccinated for measles after a rise in cases here in Leeds.
There have been a number kids confirmed as having it in our city this month alone.
It's as stats show the number of parents getting their kids vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella here has fallen over the past few years.
Dr Helen McAusale's from Public Health England in Leeds - she says it's vital:
"Most children will recover but particularly those who are vulnerable or adults or teenagers, or those who have other health problems, they can be quite unwell from it.
"Because we've got a safe and effective vaccine which can prevent the illness and we know it can cause severe illness in some people, then it's really worrying to start seeing more cases."
It comes as a new report out today's calling for the MMR vaccine to be compulsory for all children before they get to school.
Italian researchers claim current vaccination policies in the UK aren't enough to get rid of the virus.
Helen says she can't comment on that - but is worried more and more parents aren't keeping their kids up to date with the vaccinations:
"One of the reasons can be that people are busy, people are working, they can find it difficult to get appointments at their GP practice.
"One of the things that we are doing, and we're working very closely with the NHS, is to try and make those appointments more accessible, particularly for parents who might be busy and might be struggling to take children along to those appointments.
"I think because we've had such good uptake of the vaccine in recent years, some people don't think measles exits any more and we don't see it. Perhaps it's not at the forefront of people's minds. This is a timely reminder that we do still see measles and it is still important to get vaccinated."